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/ 







How to Find Employment, 

-OR- 

BETTER ONE’S SELF IN NEW YORK 
OR ELSEWHERE. 


A HAND-BOOK OF DIRECTION AND IN¬ 
FORMATION, 

SHOWING HOW TO SECURE A POSITION 


Of 


FOR 5, 10, 15 or W cent 


BY GEORGE LOCKWOOD 



NEW YORK: 
GEORGE LOCKWOOD. 


Copyrighted 1888. 


All rights reserved. 






H F 5 3? 3 

. L8 


«<ICONT£NI$.!> 


Employment and its Importance. 

The Object of this Book. 

Some of the Mistakes commonly made by those seeking: Employ¬ 
ment.,. 

The Way Applicants usually Proceed in their Efforts to Securo 

Employment.. 

important Matters Necessary to be Considered. 

Reference. 

Personal Appearance and Physical Condition— ... 

Ability and Wages. . 

The Way to Find Employment Through the Newspapers. 

How to Better Yourself. 

Employment Agencies. . 


3 


7 

9 


12 

14 

17 

19 

20 


02 















EMPLOYMENT AND ITS IMPORTANCE. 


~0 find employment or to better one’s position is daily 



a matter of great importance to many people, of 


u both sexes, and in all conditions of life. No other 
subject throughout the civilized world includes so large 
a portion of the human family, independent of race and 
religion, and no other subject evolves to the same ex¬ 
tent the destiny of the individual person to whom it may 
and often does signify, on the one hand his welfare in 
various degrees, by enabling him to obtain the neces¬ 
saries and comforts of life for himself and those who 
may be depending upon him, or the attainment of his 
hopes or ambitions, whatever they may be. 

And on the other hand, the question may assume a 
different form, and be one involving distress and anxiety 
in various ways, or it may lead to the commission of 
some crime that may change the course of his existence, 
or start him upon a criminal career that may have an 
ignominious ending for himself and involve others in 
disgrace. 

True, some have friends who supply them with em¬ 
ployment, or who will use their influence with others to 
obtain it for them, and thereby escape the experience that 
those less fortunate, perhaps, frequently undergo; but 
these form a very small number in comparison with those 
having to depend upon their own resources and exertions 
tq secure situations, to many of whom it is often a long 



— 4 — 


and disheartening task to accomplish. Some in their 
efforts spend most if not all of the money that they may 
have toiled long and hard to save. Others in addition 
to expending their own available funds run into debt, or 
are obliged to draw upon the bounty of friends for main¬ 
tenance, and thereby subject themselves to inconveni¬ 
ence and humiliation in various ways. 

Such is the experience that many are undergoing 
every day throughout all parts of the country ; but more 
especially in the large cities is it most noticeable, where 
many are continually changing about for one reason or 
another with various objects in view. And strangers 
from different climes are constantly arriving under various 
conditions, and with expectations and abilities of all de¬ 
grees. 

The greater number seeking employment in such places 
or outside of them, could easily save themselves most if 
not all the worry and hardships that they frequently 
undergo, to say nothing of their time and money, did 
they but understand correctly how to direct their efforts, 
in connection with a proper estimate of all the attending 
circumstances of their several cases. There are but few 
people who will not use more or less judgment in the per¬ 
formance of any task they may undertake, however simple 
it may be, or should it be one of importance before they 
undertake it will consider every point favorable and un¬ 
favorable to its accomplishment, and then adopt such 
measures as appear from a reasonable standpoint best 
calculated to be successful in attaining their object in the 
most satisfactory way. 

Here is where the difficulty principally arises with a 
very large number of people in pursuit of employment; 
they are governed according to their imagination to a 
greater or less extent, which nearly always places them 
at a disadvantage, instead of using their judgment in con- 


5 


sidering the matter from a common-sense and business 
basis, such as the circumstances and occasion may re¬ 
quire. Nor do many use or seem to consider the necessity 
or advantage to be gained by adopting a systematic 
course in their efforts; consequently they often spend 
their time and money to a great disadvantage, or to no 
purpose, without probably knowing that they are labor¬ 
ing under difficulties, or if aware of it, may not under¬ 
stand them or know how to remedy them. 

A great many people appear to look upon securing a 
situation as a sort of lottery affair, and depend in a meas¬ 
ure upon fortune to favor them in the matter sooner or 
later, as the case may be, and perhaps have never thought 
that as the result of their own efforts its acquisition could 
be made a certainty. However, such is the fact in nearly 
every case, and it can be done most expeditiously and 
successfully by the persons themselves who may be seek¬ 
ing employment, by directing their efforts in a proper and 
systematic manner on the one hand, and on the other by 
giving due consideration to all the circumstances and 
conditions in connection with them by which they may 
find themselves surrounded. 



The object of this book is to aid those who may be in 
search of employment, also those contemplating making 
a change of situations, by instructing them how to di¬ 
rect their efforts to the best advantage, and to point out 
matters necessary to be considered in connection with 
them in order to be successful in attaining their object. 
A work of this sort must be of great value to many re- 



— 6 — 


siding in cities, and especially so to strangers making 
thf-ir first attempt at obtaining employment in such 
places, having no one to assist them, and no reliable in¬ 
formation to enable them to help themselves. No one 
need have any hesitation in following the directions it 
contains, as all the statements are made from a practical 
knowledge, acquired during years of experience and ob¬ 
servation in the business of procuring situations for vari¬ 
ous classes of people, in all capacities, and can be relied 
upon as being correct; and if followed will not fail to'givo 
satisfactory results. Anyone with ordinary intelligence 
can easily understand these directions, and can adapt ail 
or part of them to any locality, according as the surround¬ 
ings and circumstances may require. 

The specified instructions given are principally intend¬ 
ed for those wishing to obtain situations, either in New 
York, Brooklyn, or Jersey City, as well as the surround¬ 
ing country for a considerable distance. These three 
large cities are so close together that they may be almost 
considered as forming one, and, taken with their numer¬ 
ous adjoining districts, form an immense, and at the same 
time the most varied field of labor in America. Such be¬ 
ing the case here, thousands auuually come from foreign 
countries, and from all parts of this vast continent, seek¬ 
ing employment in the various branches of business or 
labor that these places afford. No matter what their 
callings or abilities may be, there is a probability of their 
being able to turn them to account here, or of obtaining 
an engagement for some other part of the country, as a 
great many secure help here for various points distant 
from New York, to fill both responsible and minor posi¬ 
tions. This multitude constantly arriving, in addition to 
those who are residents and out of employment, makes 
at all times an immense number striving in various wavs 
more or less to obtain employment. 


— 7 — 


SOME OF THE MISTAKES COMMONLY MADE BY THOSE 
SEEKING EMPLOYMENT. 


Before proceeding with the directions, in order that 
they may be more fully understood it may be of advan¬ 
tage to take a glance at some of the mistakes commonly 
made by those seeking employment, the various methods 
usually pursued, and the difficulties likely to be met with, 
together with a few remarks upon these subjects which 
may be of service to applicants, by enabling them to avoid 
such errors, and commence without delay in the proper 
course in an intelligent manner. 

A great many people, especially strangers and those 
residing in cities, who wish to enter a different line of 
employment from that to which they are accustomed, are 
very often placed at a disadvantage by those whom they 
may come in contact with, or by opinions they form them¬ 
selves without due consideration ; also by relatives or 
friends, who either through ignorance or from a mistaken 
idea of kindness, frequently lead them to think that they 
will have little or no difficulty in securing the desired 
position, and that the principal thing for them to decide 
is, what it shall be.and the remuneration to accept; often 
completely overlooking the question of ability or qualifi¬ 
cations that may be required to give satisfaction or make 
their services valuable. 

It is not an uncommon thing to meet people with such 
ideas in need of employment, who, if by chance or other¬ 
wise, have an opportunity of securing a position, and it 
sometimes happens a better one than they are really 
qualified to fill, with renuineration beyond their capacity 
to earn, hesitate about accepting it, or decline it alto¬ 
gether, and appear to think that as a matter of course 


— 8 — 


Something still more desirable must consequently follow. 
Mistakes of this sort, as a rule, are made by people hav¬ 
ing an imaginary idea of affairs, and an erroneous esti¬ 
mate of themselves, which in many cases they form by 
either knowing or hearing of some one having a very de¬ 
sirable position, or receiving a certain amount as salary, 
and immediately expect something similar for themselves, 
regardless of circumstances essential to their acquisition, 
and in many cases are loth to listen to reason, or take a 
different view of affairs and so hold out upon some points 
until they become so much reduced pecuniarily, as to be 
debarred from accepting a desirable position should it be 
offered, from a lack of means to procure some necessary 
equipment, and eventually are compelled to accept what¬ 
ever they can obtain, usually something inferior to what 
had previously been offered them, or that it was possi¬ 
ble to at first obtain. Should they by chance or force 
of circumstances secure the desired situation or remu¬ 
neration by- waiting, the risk and expense in nearly 
every case more than counter-balance the advantage so 
gained. 

Without entering into the subject of the various advan¬ 
tages to be derived from immediate employment, or the 
disadvantages usually attending voluntary idleness, pro¬ 
bably no better argument regarding the matter can be 
advanced than the fact that it is seldom any one is heard 
expressing regret at having accepted what it was possible 
to obtain without much delay ; while numbers are met 
with who either admit, or their appearance indicates, 
that it would have been much better had they taken a 
different course, and made themselves secure when they 
had the opportunity, until they could more clearly see 
their way ahead, and become better informed. 


— 9 — 

THE WAY APPLICANTS USUALLY PROCEED IN THEIR 
EFFORTS TO PROCURE EMPLOYMENT. 


There are several ways of securing employment, any of 
which may prove successful under certain conditions and 
by following a systematic course; but whichever method 
or methods are adopted, applicants are frequently remiss 
in some apparently trivial, but really important, detail 
that makes their efforts of no avail, or causes them con¬ 
siderable delay. 

One method, and generally the first, is to take a look 
around, and apply at various establishments for such 
positions as they desire to obtain. 

Aside from other considerations, many do not give any 
attention as to the time of making their calls, which may 
be at unseasonable hours or at such time as stress of 
business makes inconvenient for the proper person to 
grant an interview. Those who employ help to any great 
extent usually systemize all branches of their business, 
and when help is to be engaged a time is generally set 
apart in which to attend to that portion ; and outside of 
such times applicants who chance along are very apt to 
receive no attention, even though there may be vacan¬ 
cies. Persons looking for employment in this way should 
inform themselves as to the proper time and person to 
apply to, and all points calculated to insure success. 
These can often be found out from those employed in or 
about the place. 

But going about in quest of employment, applying at 
various places, expecting by chance to obtain a situation, 
usually involves many disappointments and much loss of 
time, unless it be in some cases where it is known that a 
number are required. In many instances those engaged; 


- 10 - 


in various places learn of probable vacancies and antici¬ 
pate outsiders by posting their friends upon the matter, 
especially if the positions are desirable ones. 

Another means of securing employment, and one very 
generally adopted, and if properly managed a successful 
one, are the newspapers. They afford in many ways the 
best assistance that those depending upon their own 
efforts can have, if properly made use of. Although 
many obtain positions by their means sooner or later, 
very few understand how to obtain the quickest and best 
results for the money expended, while others receive no 
returns at all, owing either to inexperience or inattention 
to some important point. Generally the first thing to 
attract the attention of those seeking for employment 
through the papers are the columns of advertisements 
that daily appear in many of the leading morning jour¬ 
nals, announcing vacancies of almost every description, 
and requiring either a personal or written application to 
be made, as the case may be ; and in looking these over, 
applicants usually select and apply for such vacancies as 
take their fancy from the reading of the advertisement, 
without apparently, in many cases, considering whether 
they are adapted for the position described or possess 
the qualifications that may be called for, or that it may 
reasonably be supposed will be required, also overlook¬ 
ing the point regarding the time for applying. Let any 
one notice the number that frequently apply in response 
to an advertisement which states when to call, and the 
sort of person and qualifications required, and it will be 
found that a very large proportion overlook one or more 
of the particulars stated, and thus waste their own time 
and that of others, besides causing annoyance both to 
those wishing to employ and applicants who may be 
qualified. A large number of those who apply person¬ 
ally for positions they see advertised, would invariably 


— 11 — 


save themselves disappointment, time and money by 
paying strict attention to the particulars which may be 
stated in the advertisement that they select to reply to, 
or where particulars are not given common sense should 
lead to a proper conclusion ; there is often need to exer¬ 
cise this, as some advertisements are misleading, and 
their authors rely on that to gain financially, while the 
applicants are gaining the experience that common sense 
should have taught them. 

Another method of applying for situations is to send 
the application by mail; many employers needing help 
prefer this way of obtaining it to having applicants call 
personally. As a general thing, those living in the city 
who adopt this system do so from a desire to avoid being 
overrun by a number of unsuitable applicants ; or it may 
be on account of the locality, the most convenient way of 
applying. Many of the applications sent by mail, aside 
from the question of ability or qualifications, are useless, 
owing to remissness in one or more points of importance. 
Frequently applicants neglect to state particulars that 
the advertisement may call for, or that would enable 
the employers to judge as to their merit, or perhaps 
write about something having no bearing whatever 
upon the subject. Others send their applications so long 
after date that they are not apt to be considered, or 
even received ; and some either enclose their references, 
which frequently are not returned, or else make no men¬ 
tion of them. Large numbers of applications, compris¬ 
ing postal cards, letters and occasionally telegrams which 
are daily sent out, besides being deficient in these re¬ 
spects, are incorrectly or insufficiently addressed, and 
which, were it not for the skill and perseverance of the 
post office officials, would never reach their destination ; 
consequently, owing to defects of this kind in various 
points of tlieir applications, many who are in every re- 


— 12 — 


spect suitable and qualified for the positions they apply 
for, receive no benefit from their effort made by this 
form of applying; while others perhaps not so well quali¬ 
fied or desirable, by making their applications properly 
claim attention and, probably, secure the situations. 

Another way, afforded by the newspapers, of obtaining 
employment is by advertising. A great many rely upon 
this method to secure situations, and some experience 
no difficulty in placing themselves whenever occasion re¬ 
quires, while others have more or less difficulty, or are 
altogether unsuccessful; some make an indifferent effort, 
and if not immediately successful abandon this method, 
and thus fail, from lack of perseverance or by not pre 
senting their wants in the proper way. Often no mention 
is made of what the advertisers can, or wants to do, nor 
particulars given whereby to infer what they may be 
suitable for; also by not advertising in the paper or 
papers best adapted to their individual wants, or adver¬ 
tising at a poor time. And some either neglect or are 
located so as not to be able to give prompt attention to 
the replies that may come to their advertisements, 
owing to these or the other causes mentioned many are 
unsuccessful, or for some length of time unable to pro¬ 
cure situations, which by a proper course would be ob¬ 
tained in a comparatively short time. 

IMPORTANT MATTERS NECESSARY TO BE CON¬ 
SIDERED. 

When circumstances render it necessary for a person to 
seek employment, or he leaves his situation with the in¬ 
tention of procuring a better one, either similar or in a 
different capacity, whether in the locality where he is a 


- 13 - 


resident, or in some other location not so familiar, he 
should carefully consider all the circumstances attending 
his former occupation, and in a business-like way as near 
as possible, form a correct estimate of what his business 
abilities are comparatively worth in his vicinity, and to 
what extent they will avail him or be acceptable in other 
localities, or at an unfamiliar occupation. He should 
also consider the available means at his disposal to con¬ 
vince employers regarding the facts he may claim. A 
great many failures or considerable delay in securing 
employment, or the desired position or remuneration 
result in consequence of a person not properly compre¬ 
hending his qualifications, or having a correct estimate 
of the conditions requisite to their attainment. No place 
affords a better illustration of these facts than New York, 
where at all times are found an immense number of in¬ 
congruous applicants seeking various positions, or de¬ 
manding remuneration out of all proportion to their 
ability to command, apparently overlooking the fact that 
although this large city affords an immense field, with 
numerous opportunities for success in all pursuits, and 
large salaries are obtainable—here, of all places, em¬ 
ployers are most exacting in every particular regarding 
those whom they employ; and to succeed, it is requisite 
to understand and conform to the requirements that may 
be demanded, or the condition of affairs as they may be 
found, as great competition exists to obtain positions in 
all branches of business. And among employers, from 
the most insignificant concerns to the largest enterprises, 
every nerve is strained and all manner of devices re¬ 
sorted to, either to keep up or excel in the strife, and as 
those whom they employ, contribute in a great measure, 
to these ends; in most cases it is a fiiatter of business 
with them to employ for each department only such as 


— 14 — 


are best calculated to advance their respective interests, 
or in other ways to give satisfaction. 

In making selections with these ends in view, one or 
more, and frequently all of the following conditions are 
demanded or considered, namely: References, physical 
condition, personal appearance, ability and remunera¬ 
tion : consequently, applicants in applying for positions 
should consider to what extent these conditions are likely 
to be required, and by carefully considering these points 
decide what positions they are best qualified to fill and 
the remuneration to expect. 

For the purpose of helping applicants to arrive at a 
correct decision in these repects, it will be necessary to 
consider the points a little more in detail, although they 
may not seem to be of much importance, from the fact 
that employers seldom appear to lay much stress upon 
these matters, should they be the cause for declining an 
applicant’s services, but usually give some plausible rea¬ 
son calculated not to give offence, thus in many true cases 
giving applicants erroneous impressions as to the cause 
of their failure, and leaving it to themselves to find out 
by experience where the real trouble may be; employers 
usually do not consider it their business to point out to 
applicants wherein they are deficient, or undesirable, al¬ 
though by so doing it would often be the means of set¬ 
ting them right; hence the importance of their under¬ 
standing and looking into the principal points which em¬ 
ployers consider in arriving at their decisions. 


REFERENCE. 


This may be considered as the leading point in most 
cases necessary or conducive to securing employment, as 
it is considered as vouching for both the ability and 


— 15 — 


integrity of applicants; and seldom is any situation 
worth speaking of obtainable, especially in the city, 
without recommendations, regarding these matters ; and 
the extent to which they are serviceable depends in a 
great measure upon other conditions ; these are, date, 
locality, the length of time and the occupation they 
cover, and composition. Thus, a reference of more or less 
remote date is considered of less value, as the case may be, 
than one of a recent date, and sometimes is looked upon 
with suspicion unless the intervening time can be satis¬ 
factorily accounted for, and so is liable to be of little use, 
and sometimes even creates an unfavorable impression. 

Considerable weight is also attached to the place which 
the reference may be from. Some employers are very 
exacting about this, and will not entertain an applica¬ 
tion unless the reference be from a certain immediate 
neighborhood ; and others, as a rule, are dubious about 
distant or foreign ones, and applicants holding such will 
usually find more or less opposition to them, however 
good they may appear. 

The length of time that a reference covers detracts or 
increases its value, as the case may be, although circum¬ 
stances frequently occur through no fault of the em¬ 
ployee that prevents his acquiring one, other than for 
a comparatively short period of service. However, this 
may not be very detrimental unless the others he may 
have are of the same nature ; when such is the case they 
are apt to be considered as indicating him to be in some 
respect deficient or undesirable. 

Again, on the other hand, employers are occasionally 
found who object to a very long reference, on the ground 
that the holder may have acquired a settled way of 
performing his duties, in consequence of which he may 
not readily adapt himself to other systems and surround¬ 
ings. But applicants need not worry about this fault 


— 16 — 


with their references, if it be one, as it is in reality a 
commendable feature and of itself a good recommend¬ 
ation. 

The particular occupation that a reference may be for, 
is also an important point that comes under consider- 
tion. Should it be for some defined duties in a different 
line of business from the position the applicant is seek¬ 
ing, it may be of little or no use to him, and in some cases 
even a detriment, as some employers are found who will 
not engage a person for no other reason, than because 
of his having been engaged in some line of employment 
calculated to make him undesirable for the position ap¬ 
plied for, and for this reason decline his services, however 
suitable hq may appear in other respects. 

The value of a reference also depends to a great extent 
upon its composition. Thus, a reference if it be but for 
a short period of service, if written in a forcible manner 
that will leave no room for doubt upon any point, will 
often secure an applicant the preference over another 
whose abilities may be superior, and whose reference 
may cover a longer period, but appears doubtful from not 
being written in an explicit manner. 

Upon this point of their reference an employee is de¬ 
pending in a measure, on his employer’s inclination or 
ability to express approbation of the services which have 
been rendered him ; still, the bearing of an applicant 
will often materially aid to supply apparent deficiencies 
in these respects or disapprove statements which they 
may contain. 

What are termed personal references are invariably 
considered the most satisfactory of any; this consists of 
the person referred to making a verbal statement as to 
the merits of the applicant, and some employers will not 
engage a person upon the written statements he may have 
unless they can also be certified to in this manner, or 


— 17 — 


in writing, as it is not an uncommon occurrence for ap¬ 
plicants to manufacture written references to suit the 
occasion; and employers sometimes give good written 
references which upon investigation afterwards, they 
partially or entirely repudiate. 

In addition to thus satisfying employers when the 
position sought for is one of trust, an applicant is often 
expected to furnish security in some material form as the 
position may require. To some it may appear strange, or 
unreasonable that employers should be so exacting in 
wanting to know about those whom they employ, respect¬ 
ing both their character and abilities. The ad visibility 
and necessity of taking such precautions can be readily 
understood, when it is considered that in a large city like 
New York all classes of people are found, including crimi¬ 
nals and sharpers from all parts, who seek here new fields 
for operations by mingling with those in search of honest 
employment; and experience has taught people here that 
to afccept a person upon his own statements, or personal 
appearance, is a very injudicious and unbusinesslike pro¬ 
ceeding ; besides it is but right to give those the prefer¬ 
ence who have proved themselves worthy and com¬ 
petent. 


PERSONAL appearance and physical condition. 


These are also matters of importance to be considered in 
connection with other requirements, according to the po¬ 
sition sought, although neither may indicate correctly a 
person’s ability to fill the position he may apply for, they 
show in a manner to what extent he may be suitable, or 
adapted for it, Employers in making selections for filling 


—18 — 


various vacancies, usually prefer those whose appearance 
indicates them as being in keeping with the services re¬ 
quired, or, where this point is of no account, a person’s 
physical condition will often be a matter of consideration, 
and frequently both particulars enter into the require¬ 
ments to a great extent. For many branches of public 
service, for instance ; the soldiers, policemen, firemen, 
etc., in order to gain entrance to any of these depart¬ 
ments it is essential to be qualified physically in differ¬ 
ent ways. The same principles are involved to a greater 
or less extent in domestic and business affairs, and 
whether it be a clerk, porter, coachman, or help for any 
other capacity that is wanted, the employer requires 
for each position, that the appearance or physical con¬ 
dition of the employees be such, as to enable them to 
perform their respective duties in a satisfactory and ac¬ 
ceptable manner. 

A great many people overlook these matters in applying 
for positions. Thus we find those delicate in appear¬ 
ance, and soft-handed applying for positions requiring 
strength for manual labor far beyond their capacity 
to render; and, on the other hand, numbers are found 
only adapted for filling situations of this class, wasting 
their time in vain efforts to secure places that their 
rough appearance or ungainly ways entirely disqualify 
them for. 

Applicants will find it to their interest to bear these 
subjects in mind, especially in looking for employment in 
the city, for the reason that in such places employers are 
more particular from either a business point of view or as 
a matter of taste, and when vacancies of any description 
occur, applicants suitable in these respects are always to 
be found, thus leaving those otherwise with little or no 
chances of obtaining the positions, 


— 19 — 


UBILITY AND WAGES. 

These are probably the most vexatious qusstions to be 
met with relating to employment, and are constant sources 
of discussion between employer and employes, to prop¬ 
erly determine these points satisfactorly to both the par¬ 
ties concerned, and for this purpose numerous schemes 
are brought to bear to enforce what they claim as their 
rights ; however, it is not the purpose here to go into the 
merits or demerits of either side, or the methods adopted 
to attain their ends, but to deal with the individual per¬ 
son who has to rely upon his own merits to get along, and 
his capability to make them known. 

As regards the question of ability and wages, a great 
number through forming erroneous impressions on these 
points place themselves at a great disadvantage ; thus we 
find people seeking employment in capacities new to them, 
and in which their services may be of comparatively 
little value, demanding remuneration far exceeding their 
ability to earn, and also a large number are found who 
overlook the fact that location often makes a great differ¬ 
ence in the manner of performing the same duties ; take 
for example a foreigner, who in his native land may be 
considered thoroughly proficient in the ordinary occupa¬ 
tion of farming, immediately upon his arrival here, claims 
for himself the same qualities and remuneration accord¬ 
ing, instead of making it his object to become familiar 
with the many different systems, implements, and produc¬ 
tions, of which he must naturally be in ignorance. The 
same is true of all other occupations ; people are continu¬ 
ally wasting their time, endeavoring to secure situations 
which their abilities do not fit them for, and in conse¬ 
quence of which they cannot give satisfaction. Among 
this class we find those who are apparently incapable of 
realizing the fact, should they succeed in procuring a bet- 


ter situation than their abilities qualify them for, still 
remain unsatisfied, and without waiting to gain a proper 
perception of their case, resign their situations, and not 
until they encounter the difficulties of securing another 
do they recognize the estimate placed upon their abilities. 
In these respects it is important that applicants should 
form a correct idea regarding their abilities, and the 
amount of remuneration which they can command, and 
proceed accordingly, instead of trusting to blind fortune 
to especially favor them. And in lorming an estimate 
upon these points, a person’s own observation should 
prove the most effectual guide, it does not require any 
great amount of intelligence to perceive what the general 
state of affairs is in any department, either domestic, or 
commercial, the demand and supply of labor available, 
the remuneration paid and the ability required, and then 
for an applicant either to fall in line and properly grade 
his demands, and make the best of existing circumstances, 
or follow such course as he chooses. 

THE WAY TO FIND EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE 
NEWSPAPERS. 


After giving the foregoing subjects thorough considera¬ 
tion in every particular, an applicant should have arrived 
at a proper understanding of the qualifications and con¬ 
ditions requisite to secure employment to the best advan¬ 
tage. The next step of importance is to bring himself to 
the notice of those employers who may require such ser¬ 
vices as he is qualified to render. New York also leads in 
affording the most ample means for this purpose in numer- 


%\ - 


rms ways. The cheapest and at the same time the most 
satisfactory are the newspapers, competition and enter¬ 
prise having brought these to the highest state of perfec¬ 
tion, which enables them to serve tho publics In various 
ways to an extent almost beyond comprehension. No 
other source is equal to them for people to make known 
their wants, or so generally referred to for information ; 
here the millionaire and the poor man are found side by 
side, each seeking to gratify their respective wants, In the 
different forms suited to their needs. Large sums of 
money are thus daily expended and much thought given 
as to its proper disposition by various concerns, in 
making their wares known to the public by means of 
advertising, well knowing that they will receive ample 
returns for their outlay in this manner. The person who 
lias bis labor to dispose of will also And them equally 
valuable to meet his requirements, and worthy his closest 
attention in all particulars. How few ever stop to con¬ 
sider to what extent their wants are made known by the 
Judicious expenditure of a few cents for an advertisement, 
or the vast resources that are invoked to serve them. 
Hcarcely does the perhaps almost unintelligible scrawl 
upon the soiled, crumpled piece of paper leave their 
* hands, than others Interest themselves in It, and the 
greatest discoveries and Inventions known to man, the 
combined wealth of vast corporations, the government 
and the skill acquired in these departments, through 
years of practice and experience becomes subservient to 
them; and while they sleep these agencies are at work 
carrying their wants to the notice of thousands far and 
near, presenting them In an attractive form, Just at the 
right time, and telling in ihe most effectual manner what 
they wish to he known. 

They tell the early rising, hard working farmer where 
he can find help, and he hustles about more lively to get 


— 22 — 


his chores done in time to catch the train to go in search 
of the advertiser, or send him word that he is wanted. 
They speak to the otherwise inaccessible banker and the 
busy merchant, laying before each when they are dis¬ 
posed or have the time to consider the application of the 
book-keeper or coach-man whose services they may de¬ 
sire to procure! What a result obtainable from the ex¬ 
penditure of a few cents ! The person thus seeking em¬ 
ployment in many instances before he has roused himself 
the following morning, is sought after and offered situa¬ 
tions that otherwise would have remained unknown to 
him, and by introducing him to the employer thus per¬ 
forming at the same time a great service, perhaps, to both. 
In order to obtain a situation through the newspapers in 
the quickest and most satisfactory manner, it is necessary 
for an applicant to give attention to several particulars : 
the first and most important one is to have the advertise¬ 
ment in the proper paper, or papers, according to the 
situation sought. Thus a person should learn which is 
the best medium whereby to inform such employers as are 
likely to require the kind of services which the applicant 
desires to render. A paper that may be excellent for ob¬ 
taining some kinds of positions may be of little or no ac¬ 
count for others ; but such papers in which a certain line 
of help mostly advertise are generally better for that par¬ 
ticular class of positions than papers with a mixture of all 
kinds. Any person who does not know the best paper in 
which to advertise for the position he desires, can easily 
gain the information by the expenditure of a few cents, 
in securing a copy of the leading papers, and noting the 
general run of the advertisements. As newspapers are 
liable to change in character in these respects or give 
place to others in the course of time, those which can 
be designated at present as being the best adapted 
for various positions may after a time not be as suitable 


23 — 


as others. There are now published in New York city- 
five papers well adapted for this purpose; these are the 
Herald , World, Times , Tribune and the Staats Zeitung. 
The two first mentioned are suitable for nearly all posi¬ 
tions obtainable through the newspapers, as they have a 
very large circulation among all classes of employers in 
the city and country, and quick returns are usually re¬ 
ceived. The Times and Tribune are chiefly adapted for 
situations in families, and the best situations in that 
line are usually obtained through them; but employers 
who select their help from these papers are generally 
more exacjjng about the qualifications and references of 
those whom they engage. The /Staats Zeitung , being a 
German paper, is almost exclusively adapted for Germans 
or those who can speak the German language, and the 
positions obtainable through it are mostly with that 
nationality in the city, in the various trades and busi¬ 
nesses in which the Germans predominate ; for such and 
those who cannot speak English it is an excellent paper; 
but for domestic situations, especially for females who 
can speak English, the others mentioned are the best, as 
they can do better, and usually prefer to work for other 
nationalities than their own. 

Aiiother paper which is very serviceable for managers in 
the farming line is the Country Gentleman , published 
weekly at Albany, N. Y. Such as are qualified in this line 
of business can find the best positions obtainable through 
it. Being a high class agricultural paper, it circulates 
especially among wealthy stockmen and farmers far and 
near, and at the proper season numerous replies are usu¬ 
al ly received to advertisements for positions of this kind ; 
besides this, numbers of employers advertise in it who 
require men for such positions, and it will pay those 
desiring situations of this description, to keep informed 
by subscribing for it at least during the season in which 


— 24 — 


changes are usually made. The Brooklyn Eagle is also a 
good paper for either males or females desiring situations 
in Brooklyn families ; but outside of situations of this 
sort or in this locality it is not of much account; the Hotel 
Gazette, published weekly in New York, is excellent for 
hotel positions, especially heads of various departments, 
male and female, as it circulates among hotel proprietors 
throughout all parts of the country. These papers men¬ 
tioned are the leading representatives for the various 
kinds of positions commonly obtainable through adver¬ 
tising mediums. Although there are other papers patron¬ 
ized in a small way by both employer and employes, the 
chances of obtaining a position, or the positions obtaina¬ 
ble through them, are comparatively* of little account. 

Having decided upon the paper or papers best adapted 
to make known to employers likely to require such ser¬ 
vices as the applicant is qualified to render, or for the 
position he desires to obtain, he should give some con¬ 
sideration regarding the time in which to make known 
his wants, the season best suited for obtaining the kind 
of situation he wishes, also the best days of the week 
calculated to obtain satisfactory results, as in most busi¬ 
ness affairs there are some days usually considered better 
than others, according to their nature ; the same is true 
regarding the days best suited for advertising any article 
or event, and those interested in the expenditure of money 
for this purpose give due consideration to all such minor 
details. The person who wishes to dispose of his labor 
should likewise give this subject attention, and derive all 
the benefit possible from the outlay of his money in this 
manner. During several years’ experience of constant ad¬ 
vertising for situations wanted I have found from Mon¬ 
day to Friday, included, the best time for men, Saturday 
the poorest day of all, and comparatively worthless, owing 
to its being a partial holiday yyith some, and with others a 


— 25 — 


Very busy day; in both cases leaving little or no time to 
give attention to, or communicate with, those who adver¬ 
tise for situations on that day. Even should an employer 
answer an advertisement, the advertiser would be very 
likely to receive it too late to be of any benefit to him. 
Employers generally commence earlier in the week to 
look for any help which they may desire, as they usually 
have more time to devote to that purpose and prefer not 
to leave it till the last day of the week before negotiating 
with employes. Sunday, although the best day to ad¬ 
vertise for some purposes, and a great many more adver¬ 
tise then for situations than any other day, I have always 
found very uncertain; and for a number of reasons not 
nearly so desirable as some days during the week. The 
situations obtainable through the paper on that day are 
mostly of an inferior order. The class of employers who 
either advertise or answer advertisements in Sundays’ 
papers are principally those looking for cheap help, 
knowing that their chances of obtaining such on that 
day are better than any other, as they have so many to 
select from. The solid man, who wants good help, and 
pays remuneration in proportion, rarely spends his time 
on Sundays looking over the advertisements, but attends 
to such affairs in the regular course of business during 
tne week. 

Another point for consideration regarding advertising 
in Sundays’ papers is, that employers are not likely to 
make personal calls on that day, which is very often the 
way they respond to advertisements inserted during the 
week days, especially to those advertising for situations 
in the domestic line, both male and female ; while some 
may claim that they will derive the full benefit from their 
Sunday’s advertisement on Monday, or later. Such oc¬ 
casionally may be the case ; but my experience has been 
from having them continued through the week, that the 


— 26 — 


smallest per centage of replies received came from Sun¬ 
day’s advertisements, also that an applicant’s chances of 
securing a position through them are much lessened, ow¬ 
ing to those answering his advertisement replying to 41 
greater number of other applicants, who are seeking sim¬ 
ilar positions through that day’s papers. For the same rea¬ 
son, the chances of obtainingsituationsadvertised on Sun¬ 
day are less, in consequence of the host of applications usu¬ 
ally made for any vacancies advertised on that day. Owing 
to obstacles of this nature, those desiring th.e better class of 
positions, or making only an occasional effort to obtain 
employment by this method, will generally have much 
better success during the week. Although disadvantages 
of these kinds are usually encountered by those seeking 
situations through Sunday’s papers, a person who is 
energetic, andboundto succeed, will not miss any chance 
of a situation, and not only advertise on Sunday, in the 
papers best adapted to his wants, but continue to present 
them constantly before the public until successful. 

The advantages to be gained from thus advertising 
when there is a probability of success, in more than one 
paper, or all which are best adapted to the wants of the 
applicant, are that it affords him at the same time all the 
opportunities of the kind then open through these various 
sources. This is a point of much importance, not only 
resulting in a saving of time and giving the applicant a 
greater choice of situations ; but it will also enable an ob¬ 
serving person to at once form a correct estimate regard¬ 
ing the wages going, the value placed upon such services 
as he can render, also the chances of obtaining the kind of 
position he is applying for, by being brought into contact 
with numerous employers and in competition with other 
applicants. 

Besides expediting matters, and other advantages to 
be gained in consequence of making their wants known 


— 27 — 


through more than one paper, if adapted for them, the 
actual expenditure of money for securing a situation is 
very often less than when only one paper is patronized. 
In addition, the probability of obtaining the greater re¬ 
muneration, and the most desirable situations open am¬ 
ply repays the extra outlay, should it be necessary. 

In order to derive all the benefits possible from 
advertisements, it is of importance that the replies be 
promptly received, and for this purpose applicants should 
locate in a convenient, and respectable neighborhood, 
and advertise from the place where they may be resid¬ 
ing, this will enable them to receive answers with¬ 
out delay, and to reach any desired point in the shortest 
possible time, which is often an important matter ; and is 
also a great inducement to employers to call personally, 
which they frequently do when an advertiser is conveni¬ 
ently located. However, those who are so situated as to 
be unable to derive the benefit from such advantages 
should not fail to attend to their replies at the earliest 
possible time, in order to be considered before the vacan¬ 
cies have been filled. 

The location in which a person may be residing fre¬ 
quently has considerable influence with employers ; and 
if it is an undesirable neighborhood is very apt to eause 
an unfavorable impression, from the old adage, “Birds 
of a feather flock together,” consequently employers are 
not likely to call personally, and hesitate about haviug 
any dealings with persons residing in such locations. 
These are matters worthy of attention, although they are 
frequently overlooked by applicants, and though appar¬ 
ently of little account, tend to their advantage or disad¬ 
vantage. 

Having settled the foregoing points to the best advan¬ 
tage, the next thing to give attention to is the compo¬ 
sition of the advertisement, Advertisers should give this 


28 — 


subject all the consideration possible, and not only pre¬ 
sent their wants in an attractive form, and define the 
duties they are qualified for or wish to perform, but also 
mention any points calculated to give them the preference 
over others in the most concise form possible. 

To make these points better understood, a few illustra¬ 
tions are given of the different forms of advertisements 
as they are found in the daily morning papers, and by 
pointing out their defects, together with a few specimens 
calculated to obtain the most satisfactory results, cannot 
fail to be of benefit to many, especially to those unaccus¬ 
tomed to advertise. For example, here are two advertise¬ 
ments, one of four lines, the other of two, counting eight 
words to the line, which is the number usually allowed, 
one costing forty cents and the other twenty, at the rate 
of ten cents per line, the current rate charged by the 
Herald and World for situations wanted : 

I ? ARM HAND wants work on farm; can do any kind 
1 of farm work; understands the care of horses 
and cows ; not afraid of work; good references. Ad¬ 
dress, Farm Hand, uptown. 

I T'ARM HAND—Understands all farm work and care 
1 of stock; good worker; references. Farmer, 1295 
Broadway. 

The shorter advertisement is in every way the most 
desirable, not only because costing an applicant one half 
the amount of the other, but by giving an address where 
the advertiser can be found, in a convenient locality, 
any replies will reach him without delay, in addition to 
giving employers an opportunity to call personally; 
while the applicant advertising from the newspaper 
office loses the chance of personal calls, and must conse¬ 
quently spend more or less time, and probably money, in 
going after his replies, which in many instances are re¬ 
ceived too late to be of service. Instead of expending 


— 29 


the amount for a single advertisement in one paper 
whichever it may be, by far the better way is to insert 
two like the shorter, at the same time one in both the 
Herald, and World , as both are suitable for it and 
give quick returns ; and in any case the shorter one will 
usually bring as many replies as the other, because it is 
concise and expresses all that is necessary, and as much 
as the larger one. The following results I obtained with¬ 
out any special effort from a two line advertisement, and 
it is both interesting and instructive, The first insertion 
in the World on Sunday, brought, no replies; on the fol¬ 
lowing Tuesday the same brought eleven replies by mail, 
and three personal calls—certainly enough results from 
twenty cents to enable several persons to secure situa- 
ations. On Thursday the same advertisement in the 
Herald , and World, brought seventeen answers to these 
offices—nine to the Herald, and eight to the World. 
Again, in both papers on Sunday, seven came to the 
World, and none to the Herald. Thus, from an ex¬ 
penditure of $1.30, thirty-eight employers applied for the 
advertiser’s services within the space of a few days. 

A point worthy of note, was that the replies received 
from Sunday’s papes, nearly all indicated positions of an 
inferior order from small working farmers, while those 
in reply to the week day’s advertisemeqts were mostly 
from a wealthy class, or business men in the city, easy of 
access, having places in various parts of the country, 
some wanting men for the vicinity of New York, others 
wishing to send them some distance away. Among the 
latter was one wishing a man for his orange grove in the 
South; another wanted men for his ranch in the Far 
West, etc., etc. 

This is but one illustration of the wonderful results 
obtainable through advertising, and at such a trivial out¬ 
lay as to be within the reach of all, and which it would 


— 30 — 


be impossible to obtain so expeditiously from any other 
source for so small an expenditure. It also serves to 
show the necessity of perseverance, and the advantages 
likely to be derived by those who do not hesitate to ex¬ 
pend the amount necessary in making their wants known 
at the same time through various sources, also by giving 
their address. However, applicants need not expect such 
results at all times, or for all positions. 

But to return to the subject of the composition of the 
advertisement. Here is a sample of one by a coachman 
wishing a situation for himself and wife, in which he 
uses over fifty words in stating that he understands his 
business, and that his wife is competent in the various 
branches of housework. 

C OACHMAN and groom and cook; by a married 
man; no encumbrance; situation as first-class 
coachman and groom, thoroughly understands his 
business in all Its branches; wife as excellent cook 
and laundress, or can take charge of milk and butter 
for family: country preferred; excellent city and 

country references. Please address,-box- 

uptown. 

This advertisement can be made as attractive, and 
effective, in half the number of words, and by reducing 
it and inserting one similar to the following, at different 
times, or, better still, at the same time in different pa¬ 
pers, and by giving an address where the advertisers 
can be found, the results from the same amount of 
money expended upon the larger one, for a single inser¬ 
tion in papers charging by the line, will undoubtedly 
be much more satisfactory. 

C OACHMAN, groom, cook and laundress; man 
thoroughly competent and temperate; wife ex¬ 
cellent cook, good laundress and butter maker; good 
. references. -Avenue. 

A concise advertisement of this kind will be replied to 
by as many desiring help as the other ; as it mentions as 





— 31 - 


many desirable qualifications possessed by the applicants 
as the longer one, and is as likely to attract the attention 
of employers who may not be satisfied with those in their 
employ. 

To further illustrate the most satisfactory manner of 
securing a situation by advertising, the following results 
were obtained from an advertisement like the shorter one, 
in February, in the course of a week from an outlay of $2.25, 
expended in this way. Three insertions in the World , at 
a cost of 90 cents ; two in the Herald , 60 cents ; two in the 
Times , 50 cents ; three in the Tribune, 25 cents. Although 
February is usually an unfavorable month for obtaining 
situations of this kind, twelve replies were received from 
these various sources, giving the advertisers an oppor¬ 
tunity of selecting a situation to their satisfaction, in 
different parts of the country. Thus, by handling the 
matter in a business-like way, even in a dull time, satis¬ 
factory results were quickly obtained from the judicious 
expenditure of a small amount of money. 

Here is an advertisement of a bookkeeper who uses 
upwards of forty words in stating that he is experienced, 
reliable, and will work for a moderate salary. 

A BOOKKEEPER of 15 years’ varied experience, 
having first-class recommendations from reli¬ 
able firms as to honesty, sobriety, trustworthiness 
and ability, wishes to obtain a situation where these 
qualities will be appreciated; expectations as to 
salary moderate. Address, box-office. 

In contrast with this is one in a concise form, express¬ 
ing as much in a more business-like and attractive man- 
nerthan the longer one. 

A BOOKKEEPER, good aud rapid penman, long 
and varied experience, with undoubted refer¬ 
ences for sobriety, integrity and ability; salary mod¬ 
erate -Street. 

Although it is a matter of pecuniary interest for an 




— 83 - 


advertiser to express his wants, and capabilities, as con¬ 
cisely as possible, the extra expenditure of a few cents will 
often prove a good investment, providing a plain state¬ 
ment of these subjects is made, even though expressed in 
a round about way. This important point many fail to 
accomplish altogether, although using more than suf¬ 
ficient words for that purpose. The following specimens 
will give an illustration of the useless outlay of money 
for worthless advertisements of this kind. The first is 
that of a young man who makes use of nearly forty words 
in this manner. 

Y OUNG MAN from South America would like a 
situation where there is a chance for advance¬ 
ment ; willing- to commence at moderate wages, and 
will do his utmost to prove satisfactory; can fur¬ 
nish the best of references. Please address- 

care of-Brooklyn. 

From an advertisement of this nature what is one to 
infer? Does the advertiser desire to commence as dish¬ 
washer in a restaurant, with the aspirations of eventually 
becoming its manager, or as a roustabout in a store, and 
thus advance to a more responsible position ; or does he 
aspire to the dignity of a judgeship ? Owing to its com¬ 
position, because nothing is defined, it is utterly impos¬ 
sible to tell what position the advertiser desires or may be 
adapted for ; and consequently no benefit is likely to re¬ 
sult from it, as employers of any account will not be 
likely to trouble sending for him to find out. Another 
will state his case to the same effect more briefly as fol¬ 
lows : 

Y OUNG MAN wants work at anything; references. 

Call at-— Street. 

The person who advertises in this way may properly be 
said to be advertising for what he does not want, and this 
particular one desires employers to call and find out what 





— se¬ 


ll e is capable of doing, or desires to do. Through answer¬ 
ing several who have advertised in this way, I have been 
unable to find one who wanted or would accept a situa¬ 
tion at “ anything ;” each were adapted or qualified for as 
many different kinds of employment, and all had a well- 
defined idea of what kind of work they wanted or would 
accept; but not one was found who was capable or willing 
to accept a situation at “ anything” as advertised. An em¬ 
ployer wanting a hod carrier, by answering an advertise¬ 
ment of this sort, would be as likely to have some delicate 
youth, adapted for clerical work, calling, as the strong 
laboring man he wanted. Those seeking employment 
can readily see for themselves the absurdity of advertising 
in this way, by perusing the thousands of advertisements 
for help daily published. There is no demand for help to 
do u anything”; if the duties are not clearly defined, some 
idea is always given of their nature, as a guide to appli¬ 
cants/ 

Instead of advertising for work at “anything,” the proper 
way is for the advertiser to make some statement inform¬ 
ing employers what he desires to do, or is suitable for. 
Perhaps a young man desires work of a manual nature of 
this kind : 

Y OUNG MAN wishes employment on tow-boat, or 
laboring- work of any kind. Address- 

This advertisement is concise and to the point, as in a 
few words it makes a special request, in addition to in¬ 
forming employers what other work he desires. Or it may 
be the advertiser is suitable for and desires a situation of 
a different nature similar to the following: 

TNTELLIGENT YOUNG MAN wants work in offico 
1 or a simiJar capacity, good penman; refer¬ 
ences; -- 

or in whatever capacity the position desired may be. 




— 84 — 


By thus defining his wants to the extent necessary, an 
advertiser is much more likely to receive attention, in ad¬ 
dition to simplifying matters both for himself and em¬ 
ployers. Another very general method of composing 
advertisements, is that of introducing a lot of useless in¬ 
formation, having no bearing whatever upon the subject 
of their applications, to the exclusion of that which would 
be of benefit. The following is an illustration of adver¬ 
tisements of this nature : 

A YOUNG MAN 24 years of age, who can speak 
English, Swedish, French and understands Ger¬ 
man, would like employment in a livery stable; 
understands the care of horses and carriages, has 
worked in stables in Dakota and Kansas-office. 

The statement contained in the first part of this adver¬ 
tisement, would be quite proper and beneficial were the 
applicant seeking a position as corresponding clerk, etc., 
etc.; but so far as qualifying him for grooming a horse, or 
washing a carriage, being able to speak several languages, 
or having worked in the Far West, would not especially 
commend him to employers requiring stablemen, but be 
more apt to give them the idea that he might be above 
his business, etc., etc. In place of such statements which 
neither qualify nor make him more desirable for the situa¬ 
tion he wishes, the proper and most business-like way is 
to mention such matters as are likely to make his services 
desirable, or an object to obtain, which in this instance 
could easily and effectively be done in an advertisement 
of a dozen words similar to the following : 

S TABLEMAN, temperate and competent in every 
way; quick worker; moderate wages; refer¬ 
ences. -Street. 

A concise advertisement of this kind, aside from a pecu¬ 
niary advantage, presents the advertiser in a favorable 



— 85 — 


way to various classes of employers who may require help 
for such capacities. 

In many cases those desiring a certain position, or to 
gain a footing with any of the various firms, or at any busi¬ 
ness affording openings in different departments, will find 
it a good plan, if suitable, besides specifying the position 
desired, to mention one or more minor positions, as the case 
may be, which they are willing to accept, as by so doing, 
if the one desired is not at first obtained, it may be more 
easily secured by proving their w T orth in giving satisfaction 
in some subordinate position, as a great many employers 
adopt this method of testing a person’s fitness for a super¬ 
ior position. The following is a sample of this method of 
advertising : 

C LERK,—Will any firm employ at moderate wages 
an energetic, reliable young man as shipping 

clerk, porter or in similar capacity ? references. -- 

Avenue. 

An advertisement of this nature is much more likely to 
obtain for the advertiser the desired position and salary, 
than one like the following : 

CHIPPING CLERK Young man 24 wants situation 
O as above ; anyone desiring my services at $12 per 
week may address.-Box-office. 

As it does not indicate that the advertiser is desirous of 
or will accept any other than the specified situation, and 
that at a certain figure, gives the impression that he is 
somewhat indifferent about obtaining a situation, and for 
that reason employers who require help for such or similar 
work, are not likely to interest themselves in him, whether 
they pay less or more wages than specified, if other appli¬ 
cants are available. 

Others try to obtain a situation by offering a reward to 
any one who will secure it for them, and advertise in a 
way similar to the following: 



— 36 — 


Bonus to any one who will secure me a situa- 
tion at $13 per week; best references. Address 
-office. 


This is a very injudicious manner of advertising for a 
situation. Whatever salary a person is qualified to com¬ 
mand, or circumstances warrant his obtaining, can be 
secured in a more business-like way. No reputable con¬ 
cerns will engage a person and agree to pay a stated 
amount unless his services are worth it to them, and offer¬ 
ing a bonus is not any extra inducement for such to accept 
his services, and no person having authority to engage 
help is likely to risk his own position by accepting such 
propositions or placeing himself in the power of another 
for a comparatively trifling amount. The general result of 
such offers is, that the advertiser falls into the hands of 
sharpers, and eventually finds himself minus both position, 
and the money offered, when in all probability he would 
have secured a position at first, by stating his wants and 
capabilities in a business-like way in the original advertise¬ 
ment for its cost, or at most a comparatively small por¬ 
tion of the bonus offered. 

Thus, in regard to advertising, it should be borne in 
mind that while it is important to give all information 
calculated to benefit the advertiser, besides leaving out 
that which is useless, care should be taken not to state 
anything likely to prove detrimental. Among the useless 
statements frequently introduced in advertisements the 
following are most commonly found. An advertiser states 
at the beginning of his advertisement that he is, “first- 
class,” in whatever the capacity may be, and then follows 
up with the statement, that he “ thoroughly understands 
his business,” or something to the same effect, which is a 
useless repetition, as a person who is first-class in any par¬ 
ticular capacity is supposed to understand his business 
thoroughly. Others introduce the words that they 


— 37 — 


u would like to have a situation.” These and similar 
words can usually be omitted, as it is understood from 
the fact of advertising for a situation that they want 
one; also at the close of an advertisement there is no 
need for inserting the words “please call or address,” as 
any one responding to the advertisement must do either 
one or the other. Among the statements that are fre¬ 
quently injudiciously made by applicants, and which 
often cause employers to anticipate their unfitness, or to 
think they are undesirable, are particulars regarding their 
age, the amount of remuneration expected, nationality, 
religion, married or single, number of family, or being 
a stranger, etc., etc. These are all matters to consider 
whether it is best to mention or not according to the 
nature of the position. While in some instances it is an 
advantage to mention them, as a general thing it is best 
not to draw attention to them, but to leave such particu¬ 
lars an open question; in many instances by omiting such 
facts, interviews can be obtained, and desirable positions 
secured, which would not were the applicants to state 
them in their advertisements. Although it would some¬ 
times save an applicant disappointment by stating such 
particulars, a great many employers when once they see 
an applicant, modify their notions altogether regarding 
some points which they had considered requisite to make 
the applicant acceptable. Such matters those seeking 
employment can best decide for themselves, according to 
circumstances and as the requirements and condition of 
affairs may suggest. Common sense in these, and all mat¬ 
ters connected with advertising should be exercised, with 
the object of obtaining an interview with these wanting 
such services ^s the applicant is qualified for, or desires to 
render. 

While advertising is by far the quickest and most satis¬ 
factory way of securing employment, many situations 


can be obtained by replying to those who advertise for 
help. In doing this, the same business methods should be 
adopted as in advertising. By having recourse to all pa¬ 
pers in which such particular vacancies are made known 
as the applicant is qualified for, or desirous of filling, and 
whether a personal or written application is required, it 
should be made promptly; those sending a written appli¬ 
cation should be sure to have it among the first to be re¬ 
ceived. The reason for this is, that in many instances 
several hundred replies are received, especially if the posi¬ 
tion is thought to be a good one, in which case the greater 
portion of them will probably remain unopened, especially 
the late arrivals. The following facts will serve to more 
fully explain this important point: 

From an advertisement inserted in the Sunday World 
for a watchman, over seven hundred applications were 
received; the first mail brought upwards of three hun¬ 
dred, which was more than enough for the purpose, as an 
inspection of about a hundred of these afforded an ample 
selection of applicants who indicated their fitness for the 
position, judging from the statements contained in their 
applications, consequently there was no need to give at¬ 
tention to the remainder, which arrived during the course 
of the week. 

It may also be interesting and instructive to know that 
the average time required to peruse a hundred such ap¬ 
plications, including letters and postals, is an hour and 
twenty minutes ; and to read the entire number received 
would make a tedious day’s work. Hence it can be readily 
understood that in many cases an application is very likely 
not to be considered unless it be among the first received. 

The next thing most important to claim attention in 
making an application, presuming that the applicant is 
qualified and suitable for the position, is to make a 
thorough business-like statement of these facts as con- 



— 89 — 


cisely as possible, setting forth his capabilities and all 
points calculated to make him desirable for the position, 
in a pleasing manner, carefully avoiding all subjects not 
relating to the position, which might cause the advertiser 
to anticipate his being undesirable. If the applicant has 
good written city or near-by references, a copy of them 
should be enclosed, or mention made of those who can be 
referred to. But if such is not the case, or they are from 
some other city or country, do not draw attention to that 
fact, but leave the subject of their location for future dis¬ 
cussion. On no account send the originals, as it may re¬ 
sult in their loss or great inconvenience before they are 
returned. 

For the purpose of making the subject of applying for 
situations by mail better understood, a few samples are 
given of the replies received to various advertisements, 
showing the kind calculated to receive attention, and such 
as are likely to be useless : 

“pOOKKEEPER,—Active young man wanted for 
-1 > bookkeeping and general office work. Address, 
Bookkeeper, 1238 Broadway. 

This advertisement appears explicit enough to call for 
intelligent replies, as it states the nature of the duties and 
the kind of person desired to perform them, and judging 
from this any one having a knowledge of such work should 
have a pretty good idea of the salary usually given for 
such services. The following applications are samples of 
the replies received ; the most remarkable one came to 
hand a few days after date of the advertisement, and run 
as follows : 

Honesdaee, Pa. 

Dear Sir : 

In answer to your advertisement for an active young man for 
bookkeeping and general office work, I wish to apply for the place. 
Although I am not a young man I am quite active for my age, 45; 
am married and have a large family to support. I do not understand 


bookkeeping thoroughly, but have a good knowledge of it. I have 
been engaged in the milling business here, and am at present en¬ 
gaged in winding up the business. I should like a place in New York, 
and will work for $100 per month until L can better myself Enclosed 
is my reference signed by some of the best men of this place. Send 
me all particulars and return my references soon as possible. 

Yours, etc., etc. 

This is a very unbusiness-like application ; not a single 
point is mentioned calculated to create a favorable im¬ 
pression in the applicant’s behalf, or in accordance with 
the requirements stated in the advertisement. In addi¬ 
tion to drawing attention to the fact of his being a middle- 
aged person, and not understanding the duties required, 
he demands more salary than hundreds of first-class book¬ 
keepers receive, and can be engaged for in New York, 
and states that he will only accept that conditionally, 
and also announces the fact of his being engaged in 
winding up his business—a statement, taken with the 
others, decidedly showing a lack of business ability and 
tact, calculated to convey the impression that he would 
materially contribute to wind up the business of any 
one who might employ him in any responsible capacity. 

Another application of this class received, written on a 
postal card, in which the writer concealed his identity 
by giving a couple of initials, requesting the advertiser 
to call and see him if he desired his services, was as fol¬ 
lows : 

Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Dear Sir: 

In answer to your advertisement I will state that I am a young 
man and would like the situation if you think I will suit, you can 
call and see me, at No. —- -— Avenue, Brooklyn. 

By what course of reasoning writers of applications of 
this kind, imagine employers are to know if they are 
suitable can not be conjectured. Any one who does not 


— 41 — 


know enough to state at least the commonest particulars 
regarding their qualifications for a situation, and sign 
their name, can safely be considered as not being suit¬ 
able for any position requiring the exercise of mental 
ability. 

Another application from a young man, evidently 
having little ability, and less sense, consisted principally 
of a number of questions, regarding matters which the 
writer desired to be satisfied upon before entertaining 
the subject further, was as follows : 

Jersey City. 

Dear Sir : 

I am a young man 23, and think I understand the duties stated 
in your advertisement, can give good references as to my character, 
will you kindly inform me what salary you pay and the kind of busi¬ 
ness you are engaged in, and if you allow a half holliday on Saturday; 
also the hours you expect a person to work, if these things are satis¬ 
factory I shall be pleased to call personally, and engage with you if 
mutually agreeable. 

Yours, etc. 

Applications of this kind are sure to be consigned to 
the waste-paper basket, or if perused to the end they 
maybe kept awhile as a sort of curiosity. Certainly no 
business man will waste his time going after or corre¬ 
sponding with such applicants, when he can select the 
desired help from among those who make their applica¬ 
tions in a business-like and sensible manner, such as the 
following are specimens of: 

New York. 

Dear Sir : 

In reply to your advertisement in this day’s World, I respect¬ 
fully apply for the situation. I am 23 years of age; have had four 
years’ experience at bookkeeping and general office work in this city; 
1 can also speak and write German; have first-class references for 
Character and ability which I would be pleased to have you inspect 



— 42 — 


and investigate; I am willing to work for moderate wages and do ray 
best to give satisfaction. If my application meets your approval, 
please notify me on the enclosed postal and I will respond at once. 

Yours, etc. 

The following application also among the first to be 
received, was to the point and business-like in every 
way : 

Brooklyn. 

Dear Sir : 

I herewith make application for the position advertised. I am 
a rapid writer and correct at figures; I understand bookkeeping, and 
am willing to do any office work required of me; I am not afraid of 
work or long hours, and to prove my worth and willingness will give 
a week’s trial and accept whatever remuneration my services are 
worth to you. If you will kindly grant me an interview I will furnish 
good references, and come immediately by sending me word to 
8 Resp.,etc. 

This application makes no ’ mention of any subjects 
calculated to prejudice the writer’s chances of obtaining 
an interview; he may be a young person just out of 
school, with little or no practical experience at such busi¬ 
ness, or he may be a somewhat older person than the 
advertisement calls for, etc.; and, if so by not alluding to 
these or similar subjects which might cause the advertiser 
to anticipate his being unsuitable or undesirable, and 
only presenting matters favorable to the employer and 
himself, is very likely to attain the desired object. 

F 7ARM HAND -First-class farm hand wanted: 

' good wages. 'Address by letter, Farmer 1388 
Broadway. 

To this advertisement for a farm hand, which requires 
qualifications of a different kind altogether from the 
preceeding position, and invites the attention of those 
adapted to manual labor, quite a number of the applica¬ 
tions were similar to the following ; 



43 — 


Dear Sir: 


New York. 


In reply to your advertisement for a farm hand I would like the 
situation. I was born on a farm, but left home when I was quite 
young. I have studied for a lawyer and am now engaged as clerk in 
a fancy store, but as my health is not good think it best for me to go 
in the country. Let me know what wages you pay for such work. 

Address, 

-Street, New York. 


The writer of this application has evidently forgotten 
anything he ever knew about the requirements of a first- 
class farm hand, and in this case apparently mistakes it 
for a sanitarium, etc., etc. 

Another reply was from a greenhorn, in all probability 
adapted and in a measure qualified for such work. 


No. — West St., New York. 

I would like the place on a farm. I am 30 years old and lately come 
over. I have worked on a farm at home and can take care of horses. 
I will work for $30 a month and found if your place is not too far 
away from here, as I have friends looking out for a good job for me 
with a contractor. 


The writer of this application has evidently been mis¬ 
informed regarding the wages greenhorns usually obtain 
about New York for farm work, and lacks discretion in 
stating his expectations in other directions. 

Compared with these applications are a couple from ap¬ 
plicants adapted for the work, and having a proper con¬ 
ception of their abilities, which they state in a business¬ 
like manner : 

New York. 

Dear Sir: 

I am a young man of twenty-eight; have worked most of my 
life on a farm in Orange County; 1 understand all kinds of farm 
work and machinery; am a good horseman, and understand the care 
of other stock of all kinds and am a good milker; am strong, sober 


- 44 - 


and wining: to work, and will work for moderate wages. If my ap¬ 
plication meets your approval, send me word on the enclosed postal, 
and I will call at any time you wish. Have good references. 

Yours, etc. 

Another application calculated to command attention, 
was from a man lately landed : 

Jersey City. 

Sir: 

I am only lately landed from Scotland, and wish to find work 
on a farm. I can do all kinds of farm work as it is done in the old 
country ; I am a first-class plowman ; I am quick to learn, and think 
I can soon learn the way here. I am sober and honest, and am able 
and anxious to work, and will do my best to give satisfaction. I am 
now staying at-and would like to call and see you. 

Yours, etc, 

D RIVER wanted for delivery wagon; must be 
competent and know the city; references re¬ 
quired. Address by letter, Driver, 1,238 Broadway. 

This advertisement is explicit enough to admit of no 
misunderstanding regarding the requirements necessary 
to obtain the situation, which any one possessing but little 
sense could understand ; yet from among the numerous 
applications received, several were from people totally in¬ 
capable of performing the duties required, as the following 
samples will show : 

Brooklyn. 

Dear Sir: 

I hereby wish to ask the gentleman’s earliest attention to my¬ 
self. Introduction as Mr.-, Brooklyn, N. Y. I hereby wish to 

state that I have seen in this morning’s-in the help lines you 

wanted a driver for a delivery wagon. I have been a driver in Lon¬ 
don for some time, and have good references from there. I am only 
three days over, but think I can find my way without any trouble. 
1 will work for $12 per week at first, and am ready to commence at 
once. I now must close, hoping this may meet with your approval. 

Yours, etc. 



— 45 


Another application of a novel kind for the same posi¬ 
tion was from a young man near Burlington, Vermont, 
and was received about a week after the advertisement 
appeared. 

Burlington, Vt. 

My Dear Sir : 

I see by the paper that you want a driver. I would like that 
job, as I consider myself a good driver. I am used to horses and oxen, 
and this winter 1 drew over fifty cords of wood to the city, and had no 
trouble. I have been to school a good deal, and have good educa¬ 
tion ; am no fool. I have quite a taste for drawing as you will see by 
the enclosed specimen. If you want me I can come right away if you 
will send me word how to find your place, but would rather have you 
meet me at the depot if you could, as 1 have never been in New York 
and might get lost. 

Yours, etc. 

Another application, written on a postal card with a lead 
pencil, from a person probably competent to fill the posi¬ 
tion satisfactorily, but who omitted giving any particulars 
regarding his qualifications other than the following brief 
statement 

New York. 

Dear Sir : 

I am a good city driver and would like the place. 

Address-Street. 

Among such absurd and deficient applications others 
were received of a more business-like form from persons 
having a correct conception of the qualifications desirable 
and requisite. Among them, and the first to be received, 
was the following, which contained an addressed postal 
card for a reply : 

New York. 

Dear Sir : 

Kindly consider my application for the position as driver adver¬ 
tised in this day’s-. I have worked for a number of years as 

driver in the delivery department of-&Co. I am perfectly ac- 


— 46 — 


Quainted with New York and vicinity. I know all the piers, railroad 
and steamboats, and am well accustomed to shipping goods. I can fur 
nish first-class references from my last employer for sobriety, honesty 
and ability; can give security, and will work for moderate wages. If 
you will grant me an interview 1 can call at any time you wish. 

Yours, etc. 

The specimen applications given here for the situations 
mentioned afford a correct illustration of the general run 
of applications usually received for all kinds of vacancies, 
from which it can be easily seen how useless it is to apply 
for positions without being duly qualified for them, and 
otherways able to comply with the usual requirements, 
according to the nature of the situation. Also the neces¬ 
sity of making a prompt application and giving a con¬ 
cise and business-like statement, as an applicant’s fitness 
and qualifications for a position is judged at first from 
the manner and extent to which he expresses them. 
These should be written as plainly and neatly as possi¬ 
ble, avoiding all attempts at fancy penmanship and 
similar accompaniments, and sent in an envelope, di¬ 
rected exactly as stated, with a stamped and addressed 
enclosed, or what I have usually found better still, a 
postal card, as it is handy and invites an immediate 
reply under any circumstances or stress of business, and 
will nearly always be returned if nothing more than as 
an acknowledgement; but an application should not be 
made on a postal card as it affords very little room for 
a proper statement, and gives the writer the appearance 
of being indifferent about the situation. 

By paying strict attention to all the details in the man¬ 
ner mentioned here regarding this subject, interviews can 
be obtained, and situations secured, which would not 
unless these conditions were observed, for the trifling 
expense of five cents or less. 

In regard to applying for vacancies requiring a personal 


— 47 — 


application, it may not be out of place to again repeat 
the necessity of applicants being adapted and qualified 
for the positions, and also to be among the first, if not 
the first, to gain an interview, otherwise there is very 
little use of spending time or money in looking after 
them, as an employer generally quickly tires of inter¬ 
viewing the throng of applicants that usually present 
themselves for his consideration, and for this or other 
reasons makes a selection as soon as possible ; conse¬ 
quently, those arriving later, even should they succeed 
in gaining an interview, are very apt to be informed 
“that the vacancy is filled,” “I am suited,” etc., etc. 

While it is a good plan for those seeking employment to 
give attention to such vacancies as are advertised, and 
for which they are suitable and qualified to fill, no one 
should rely upon these to obtain a situation, but merely 
fill in the time by attending to them in connection with 
advertising, aside from the greater amount of competition 
which lessens the chances of obtaining situations adver¬ 
tised, they are, as a rule, inferior to those obtainable by 
the applicants advertising themselves, and very often 
undesirable in many ways, and require the exercise of 
discretion on the part of those applying, before accepting 
them. 

Presuming that the directions given here have so far 
been followed, the applicant in search of employment will 
soon find himself negotiating with those who desire such 
services as he may be suitable or qualified to perform. 
Here a little common sense and tact can be used to the 
very best advantage, and where a great number by not 
using it lose many godd situations and opportunities. 

Many when negotiating for a situation seem to forget 
altogether what they are about, and instead of bearing in 
mind that the object to be attained is to dispose of their 
services to the best advantage, and to use all possible effort 


- 48 - 


to accomplish that point, proceed at once to place them¬ 
selves at a disadvantage and create an unfavorable im¬ 
pression by their manner of questioning, imposing condi¬ 
tions, and imparting information, which there may be no 
occasion for. There is no employer but who is favorably 
impressed by an applicant for any situation, however in¬ 
significant it may be, who speaks up as though he meant 
business, and often for the purpose of trying what mettle 
there is in him will ply him with questions and convey the 
impression that much more will be required of him than 
is really the case. The following illustrations of the differ¬ 
ent manner which applicants adopt when negotiating 
with employers will fully explain this point. Also the 
way in which many employers interview applicants who 
do not realty expect as much of their employes as might 
be inferred from their manner of questioning. 

Employer : “I want a man for ——- one who is not 
afraid to work.” 

Applicant: “Yes, sir; I would like a good place of 
that kind. How much wages do you give ?” 

Employer : “ Well I start a man at $-and raise his 

wages if he is worth it.” 

Applicant : “I don’t care to work for that; I think I 
ought to have $-. 

Employer : “ How long have you been idle ?” 

Applicant : “About two months.” 

Employer : “ How long were you in your last place ?” 

Applicant : “ About a month.” 

Employer : “ What made you leave ?” 

Applicant : “There was too much work, and I wanted 
to get a better place and more wages.” 

Employer: “Have you any references ?” 

Applicant : “No, sir. I didn’t ask them for any refer¬ 
ences ; we couldn’t agree about the work and I left; but 
| can get references from people who know me,” 



— 49 — 


Employer : “ Are you ready to go right to work ?” 
Applicant : “ I have some friends I want to see first; 
X can be ready in two or three days.” 

Employer : “Give me your address, and I will let you 
know if I want you.” 

Applicant : “No.-Street; I am staying there 


with some friends.” 

Another applicant of a different stamp by being busi¬ 
ness-like in his manner, and ready for work, will invari¬ 
ably create a favorable impression and probably be en¬ 
gaged at once, will reply about as follows to the ques¬ 
tions asked of him. 

Employer : “I want a man for-who is not afraid 

to work. ” 

Applicant : “ That is the kind of place I want, I am 

not afraid to work.” 

Employer : “ How long have you been idle ?” 

Applicant : “ Only a fe w days.” 

Employer : “ What made you leave your last place ?” 

Applicant : “ They didn’t need me any longer.” 

Employer : “ How long did you work there ?” 

Applicant : “ Over a year. Here is the reference they 
gave me, and you can write to them or see them person¬ 
ally about me.” 

Employer : “ How soon can you be ready for work ?” 

Applicant : “ I am ready any time you say.” 

Employer : “You can come to work in the morning 

if you like. I will start you at $-and give you more 

pay and a better position if you attend to your busi¬ 
ness .’ 7 

This is the manner in which a very prominent and 
respected-man of this city, who has risen from an humble 
position by his own exertions, and who employs hundreds 
in various capacities, interviews an applicant; and any 
one showing a willingness to work and get along he 




— 50 — 


always takes an interest in, and promotes according as 
they prove worthy; but drones like the first applicant 
mentioned find no favor with him, nor will they with any 
other employer of consequence. While an applicant like 
the other by showing that he is anxious for work, and 
seeking for an opportunity to prove his worth, will in 
nearly every case get the refusal of a situation ; and also 
a great advantage by showing a disposition of this kind 
is that a great many deficiences will be overlooked. 

A few particulars to which applicants should also give 
attention is to be respectful in manner, clean and neat in 
appearance, and dressed in a manner becoming their 
position. Applicants dressed out of proportion to their 
station, one way or the other, always create an unfavor¬ 
able impression. Also to have their references along with 
them ready for inspection, and make it a point to have 
written references if possible, as they will often cause an 
employer to decide at once in an applicant’s favor 
when he otherwise might not if he had to wait until 
hey could be produced, were other desirable applicants 
available. Do not apply for a situation if at all under the 
influence of drink ; it will invariably destroy your chances 
at once. Keep to yourself whatever plans you may have 
as to- your future movements or expectations. An appli¬ 
cant who states that he will only remain for a certain 
time or until he can do better, will invariably destroy his 
chances of the situation. Avoid all allusion to any dis¬ 
agreements with previous employers, or entering into 
any discussion regarding their methods, or expressing 
your ideas concerning them, or rehearsing your family 
history or misfortunes ; referring to such affairs will not 
help you, but generally lessen your chances of the situ¬ 
ation. Keep entirely to matters relating to the business 
under consideration, and use the same tact and judgment 
that you would exercise were the transaction one of a 


— 51 - 


different kind ; make the most of whatever points may be 
in your favor, in connection with the situation. 

Another very important point, is to quickly observe and 
take advantage of whatever requirements those with 
whom you are dealing may be exacting, or susceptible 
upon, in the same manner that an efficient salesman 
weighs up his customer, and advances points and ar¬ 
guments calculated to attain his object in effecting a 
sale. Among many instances in which applicants under¬ 
stood the value of this, a couple may be worth mention¬ 
ing as an illustration. 

The first, that of a young man who never remained for 
any length of time in a situation, but w T ho always ob¬ 
tained a brief written reference for sobriety and honesty, 
which, together with his own assertion, stated in a con¬ 
vincing manner, that he was very anxious to obtain em¬ 
ployment and not afraid to work, in nearly every case 
enabled him to engage without the least trouble to good 
advantage by impressing employers susceptible upon 
these points, but whose former employers all upon in¬ 
vestigation regarding him, returned the enquiries with 
the endorsement: Honest, sober and lazy. 

The other was that of a young man, a stranger with¬ 
out any reference or special ability, but possessed of a 
good stock of energy and perception, which he used suc¬ 
cessfully in obtaining employment from a person who did 
not contemplate engaging any extra help, and whom he 
happened to find at work with a shovel. It being a chilly 
day he asked permission to warm himself by using it; 
of course, this being a request very easy to comply 
with was readily granted, and by hustling about in an 
energetic manner he quickly showed the proprietor that 
it would be to his interest to keep him, and accordingly 
was engaged. 

In nearly every instance in which an applicant gains 


— 52 — 


an interview with an employer either contemplating en¬ 
gaging or requiring help, by using more or less tact and 
common sense as the occasion may suggest or require, he 
can, if so disposed, aid his application to a great extent, 
if not attain the desired object altogether. 



This subject is one that should claim the attention of 
every one, in whatever capacity employed, and every one 
should seek by all proper means to better themselves in 
every way possible. 

While in some instances a happy combination of cir¬ 
cumstances advances a person without any apparent 
effort on their part, as a general thing to advance one’s 
self upon a sure basis requires some length of time and 
the exercise of patience and foresight. Many holding 
positions in nearly every capacity could better themselves 
by adopting the proper course, but are averse to resign¬ 
ing their situations for fear that they may not be success¬ 
ful in obtaining a superior one, or perhaps one equal to 
that which they have. On the other hand, a great num¬ 
ber, as soon as the idea of bettering themselves presents 
itself, leave their employment, regardless of whether the 
condition of things is favorable or adverse to their suc¬ 
cess, in consequence of which many of them learn sooner 
or later that they have made an unwise move. It is 
quite a common thing to hear the exclamation: “I 
didn’t know when I was well off,” etc. Therefore, any 
one contemplating resigning their situation should give 
the subject serious consideration, and on no account 
leave it, no matter what difficulties there may be to con¬ 
tend with, unless reasonably certain of success in a very 


— 53 


short time. This, then, is the first question to decide, 
which should be determined according to the following 
conditions : The first is to make sure, if possible, of a good 
reference from your present employer. This will be found 
of great value, and often indisperfsable to success. 

The next is to select the season best suited for obtain¬ 
ing the kind of position desired, and to ascertain the 
demand existiug for help in such capacities. These are 
matters which a person can and should be informed 
upon before leaving a situation. This can be done easily, 
especially if residing in or near the city, at a trifling ex¬ 
pense, by means of advertising which will be found the 
most reliable source of information, and should be 
adopted by every one when possible, even though no 
attention is given to the replies that may be received. 
Besides obtaining the desired information by this means 
positions can be secured in advance, thus avoiding the 
loss of time and money, usually attending a period of 
idleness, and many of the set-backs which those fre¬ 
quently experience through resigning their situations 
under unfavorable circumstances. 

Some, however, may not be situated so as to be enabled 
to time their movements to the best advantage, or to gain 
the desired information, or perhaps find themselves in a 
strange locality under adverse circumstances, which is 
nearly always the case with those seeking to better them¬ 
selves in vicinities new to them, or at some unfamiliar 
employment. 

The greatest obstacle which this class of people usually 
have to contend against is their overrated ideas regarding 
their own abilities, and the state of affairs in such 
places. Take, for instance, many of those who come to 
New York for the purpose of bettering themselves, 
whether from foreign countries or the interior, how many 
of them make miserable failures, not because they can 
not obtain employment if they adopt proper means, 


but because they expect too much at the start in point of 
wages and position, and erroniously cling to their own 
ideas, or listen to unwise council, until they become the 
victims of circumstances. A few illustrations upon this 
point may be of service to some, and serve to more fully 
explain the matter. 

The first that of two young men, one from a country town 
and the other from a Western city, who came to New York. 
Both to some extent were familiar with the grocery busi¬ 
ness, and were seeking for advancement in that or any 
similar trade. One of them was offered $9 per week to 
commence with by a reliable firm, this being a little 
less than he had been receiving where he came from, he 
declined the offer because the wages were not what he 
expected. The other young man applied for the same 
position, and accepted it upon a week’s trial at $7, and 
immediately went to work. At the end of the week he 
was paid $2 more than was promised him, and very soon 
by his diligence was advanced both in position and 
salary, and in less than a year the head salesman opened 
a store of his own and gave him a responsible position, 
with a good salary and an interest in the business. The 
other young man who declined the $9 per week for a 
commencement, having a little money at his command, 
felt that he could not afford to work unless the wages 
and position were in accordance with his ideas of what 
his abilities should command, and, finally, as he thought, 
“struck luck” by securing a position as collector at $15 
per week and commission with a now defunct picture 
concern. The prospect of such a salary, short hours, and 
going about dressed up induced him to part with all his 
spare cash as security for his honesty, for which he re¬ 
ceived and signed an agreement among other things, that 
he could not claim his money for a certain length of time 
after resigning his situation. The first week’s work con- 


— 55 — 


sisted of his being sent about with a sample picture to 
collect orders, for the purpose of breaking him in,” as 
he was told. Needless to say, he made no success at this. 
The following week he received a list of names and ad¬ 
dresses to collect installments from, and often after in¬ 
numerable difficulties in reaching the localities, found in 
many instances, vacant lots ; or after climbing numerous 
flights of stairs, that the people sought had either moved 
or were inclined for various reasons to throw him down 
stairs. Such difficulties, together with the dissatisfac¬ 
tion expressed by his employers at his failure to collect 
the bills soon decided him to resign ; this, of course, was 
what they were working for from the start. Soon run¬ 
ning out of funds, he was compelled to pawn his watch 
and what clothes he could spare, and ultimately was 
obliged to accept a situation as useful man in a board¬ 
ing-house at $10 per month, in consequence of the firm 
which had employed him failing, and he, along with 
others, losing the money which they deposited as security. 

Occurrences like this, and of a similar nature, are very 
frequent in New York and other large cities, where con¬ 
cerns of various kinds are always to be found holding out 
deceptive inducements, to suit the ideas of new comers 
and others, who imagine that they can as a matter of 
course, secure at once a responsible and easy position 
with a high salary. Thus people from all parts are al¬ 
ways to be found investing their dollars for the privilege 
of spending their time trying to learn what they con¬ 
sider some genteel business which they are unsuitable 
for, or speculating in some outfit or partnership, etc., 
etc., promising immense returns, but which comparatively 
few realize, even in a small degree, and as in the case 
mentioned, many are gradually reduced to extremities. 

Another instance of a similar nature was that of two 
greenhorns, both lads of about the same age, and froip. 


-56 


the same neighborhood in the old country, desiring a 
situation together, and being adapted for farm work, 
both engaged with the same employer to work on a farm 
at $12 per month each, which was doing much better 
than at home. Before they had worked a month their 
friends in the city sent them word that they ought to 
have more wages. Of course they living in New York 
were in a position to know what a greenhorn working 
fifty miles out in New Jersey was worth to his employer! 
Accordingly the lads forthwith made a demand for a rise 
for the next month, or they would leave. Their employer 
refused to comply with their demands, but explained to 
them that as soon as they became more familiar with 
their work he would raise their wages accordingly. One 
of them looked at the matter in a sensible light and con¬ 
cluded to remain ; but the other would listen to no such 
arrangement, and decided to leave, making his way 
to New York with a larger surplus than he had been ac¬ 
customed to, which he was relieved of the first night of 
his arrival. However, his friends helped him to find a 
situation at digging cellars, etc., etc., which lasted but a 
hort time, when he was laid off. After remaining idle 
for some time he obtained a situation on a gentleman’s 
place as useful man at $16 per month, and was discharged 
at the end of his month in consequence of his persisting 
to smoke in the stable, contrary to his employer’s wishes, 
besides being generally cantankerous and dilatory in the 
performance of his duties. Going about in this manner 
from one situation and occupation to another, not re¬ 
maining long enough or conducting himself in a way to 
obtain a serviceable recommendation, or to get thorough¬ 
ly familiarized with any branch of work, the short space 
of a year found him a confirmed “rounder.” A class of 
persons dissatisfied with people and things in general, 
never losing a chance to make others so; leaving their 


- 57 - 


situations as soon as they have a few dollars earned, or 
upon the slightest pretext, real or imaginary ; or making 
themselves so disagreeable that their employers are glad 
to pay them in full for a week’s or month’s service, as 
the case may be, before it is due to get rid of them; 
unwilling to accept a situation unless under certain 
stipulations, usually demanding wages beyond their 
capacity to earn ; shirking their work, or measuring it 
according to their pay, and depending upon chance or 
some one’s necessity to secure employment. In conse¬ 
quence of which they spend a large portion of their time 
in idleness, frequently calling upon friends for favors, often 
indifferently clad and “dead broke,” without the means 
to take advantage of opportunities, should they offer, 
thus by their own course leave themselves in a condition 
to be imposed upon by employers on the lookoutto make 
the most of their necessities. 

The same space of time, however, found matters en¬ 
tirely different with the companion who commenced un¬ 
der precisely the same circumstances. In due time his 
wages were advanced to his satisfaction, lie was well 
dressed, with a snug sum in the bank, besides having sent 
home a share of his earnings to the old folks, and pay¬ 
ing tho passage for a cousin to America, and not least of 
all, under no obligations for favors from others, well ad¬ 
vanced in a knowledge of his work, and assured of a good 
recommendation from his employer to further advance 
himself when the opportunity should offer. 

The cases mentioned, out of many of a similar nature 
that could be given, illustrate the manner in which a 
great many endeavor to better themselves, and the re¬ 
sults likely to follow as a natural consequence, according 
to the course pursued. Therefore, those trying to better 
themselves at an occupation unfamiliar to them, es¬ 
pecially if strangers in New York, or any city, even 


— 58 — 


though qualified for the position sought, should, as a 
rule, first of all disabuse their minds of the idea that 
they are likely to obtain high wages, and easy positions 
at first. 

The next thing is not to lose any time without making 
an energetic effort to secure employment, and to accept 
the first situation obtainable, especially if in the line of 
business desired. The advisiblity of this is that it se¬ 
cures a person financially, and if nothing more, will 
prevent a depletion of finances, which is a most im¬ 
portant matter for consideration to those out of em¬ 
ployment in the city, where money disappears at an 
astonishing and unaccountable rate, however careful one 
may be of expenses. Besides affording a chance to be¬ 
come familiarized with the work, if not accustomed to it; 
but the principal advantage to be gained is that it affords 
an opportunity for proving one’s worth, and thereby ob¬ 
taining wages and promotion accordingly, also of be¬ 
coming acquainted with others who frequently can be 
made of great assistance to attain one’s purpose, and 
getting the run of chances which outsiders are not likely 
to know anything about, and of obtaining a reference for 
character and ability. 

Therefore the first consideration necessary in order to 
better one’s position is become locally favorably estab¬ 
lished as regards character and ability. To accomplish 
this many difficulties are likely to be met with, requiring 
the exercise of common sense and policy in various ways, 
besides its often being necessary and advisable to forego 
more or less at first in the matter of wage3, also to per¬ 
form onerous duties, and contend against disagreeable 
things in various ways, for the time being. Positions of 
this kind are most likely to be obtainable at first by 
strangers, and those changing their occupation in conse¬ 
quence of their being vacated by those who find them 


— 59 — 


objectionable for one reason or another, or remaining 
vacant an unusual length of time, owing to some exagger¬ 
ated or imaginary objection, frequently the result of idle 
or vicious gossip. Accordingly, those accepting them 
generally do so either as a last resort, with no intention 
of remaining for any length of time, or with a foregone 
conclusion that it will be impossible to give satisfac¬ 
tion, and being thus prejudiced put forth no effort for 
that purpose, or to remove whatever there may be un¬ 
satisfactory, with the result as before stated. Thus it is 
quite common for the same positions to be vacant several 
times in quick succession, when others accept the posi¬ 
tions thus vacated, and not only remain for an indefinite 
length of time, in harmony with their employers, and 
get whatever there may be objectionable removed, 
but obtain further concessions in any way they care to 
demand, and interest their employers in their behalf, 
who often can, and do, exert themselves to materially 
assist their employees to further better themselves. To 
thus obtain an employer’s approbation or such conces¬ 
sions as may be desired, it is not necessary to humiliate 
one’s self either in the eyes of others or himself; but it 
does usually require the exercise of common sense and 
policy in not antagonizing himself with the faults, or pecu¬ 
liarities of his employer, should such exist, and by quickly 
observing where a little extra effort will be most appre¬ 
ciated and redound to his own advantage. Thus, by 
making himself valuable, or agreeable to his employer 
it is seldom that all or part of his demands are not grant¬ 
ed ; and where such is not the case it is nearly always 
advisable to hold a position, even under difficulties, until 
sufficient funds have been saved, a good recommendation 
secured, and a seasonable time arrives to make a change. 
Always make it a point, if possible, to leave on friendly 
terms with an employer, which will usually insure em- 


— CO — 


ployment with him again if desired. By pursuing a 
systematic course in this manner, a person can make the 
most of his abilities, find his services in demand, and be 
in a position to take advantage of opportunities that 
may offer, and assert his rights successfully whenever 
occasion requires. 

In connection with the foregoing a few samples of 
references are herewith given, and their relative value 
as considered in New York City, whether for male oj 
female, presuming the capacity to be such as affords con- 
stant employment. 


New York. 

This is to certify that the bearer-has been in my employ for 

one year in the capacity of -, during which time 1 have found 

him sober, honest, industrious and thoroughly competent in the dis¬ 
charge of his duties. I am confident any one employing him will find 
a very desirable person in any capacity he may be capable of filling. 


New York. 

The bearer,-has worked for me as- for two years, 

and I have always found him strictly sober, honest and reliable, 
thoroughly competent and attentive to his duties. He leaves, to my 
regret, of his own accord to better himself. 1 will gladly take him 
back at any time he wishes. 


New York. 

To whom it may concern: 

This is to certify that I have employed-for five years in 

the capacity of-, during which time he has given entire satis¬ 

faction and served me faithfully and well. Being honest, sober and 
thoroughly competent, I can recommend him as a \aluable person to 
any one requiring his services. 1 shall be pleased to answer any fur¬ 
ther enquiries personally or by letter regarding him. 


A reference similar to either of these is usually consid¬ 
ered first-class, and will satisfy most employers regarding 









— 61 - 


a person’s character, and qualifications for the capacity 
they are for, providing they are of recent date, and from 
reputable people or firms locally known. 

The following are samples of references similar to those 
possessed by many met with in New York. 


New York. 

The bearer has worked for me six months as-. He is efficient 

in the performance of his duties and leaves my service because I have 
no further use for him, 


New York. 

This is to certify that the bearer has been employed by me for three 

months in the capacity of-, during which time he has been honest 

and sober. I can recommend him to any one requiring his services. 


London. 

John Smith has been in my employ for six years as-. I have 

always found him honest, sober and attentive to his duties. He is 
thoroughly competent and leaves my service of his own accord to 
better himself in America, having first received ah wages due to him. 


To all whom it may concern. 

'this is to certify that I have known the bearer-, for a 

number of years, and believe him to be strictly honest, sober, up¬ 
right and worthy of any position he maybe found capable of filling. 
I am quite confident that he will do all in his power to give satisfac¬ 
tion to any one employing him. 


References of this description are not considered of 
much account in New York, for the reason that they are 
either for a short period of service, from a distance, or 
from those who merely give a reference as a sort of per¬ 
sonal favor without any knowledge of the bearer’s fitness 
for any particular position, and consequently are of little 
pr no service in obtaining a position. 









— 62 — 


EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES. 

These are intended to be of service to both those seek¬ 
ing employment, and also employers desiring to procure 
help; but owing to the methods adopted by many of 
those who from time to time engage in the business, and 
the use frequently made of them, both by employers 
and those wishing employment, their usefulness isgreatly 
impaired in consequence to such an extent that many 
employers are distrustful of having any dealings either 
with employment agencies or those who frequent them. 
On the other hand, many of those desiring employment 
have an idea that employers who apply to agencies for 
help are undesirable to work for, or that they will have 
to wait for an indefinite length of time for a situation, 
and then perhaps not obtain it or any other. 

While such may be true in both cases to a greater or 
less extent, it is the result, as a general thing, in the first 
instance, of agents accepting a fee from every one whom 
they can induce to register, regardless of their qualifica¬ 
tions or character, and sending such for employers to 
interview. Thus an employer frequently becomes dis¬ 
gusted by being overrun with a host of undesirable appli¬ 
cants, which sometimes continues for a length of time 
after the vacancy has been filled, or, if the selection is 
left to the discretion of the agent, proper care and judg¬ 
ment is not used in selecting the right person, or perhaps 
no help is forthcoming at the appointed time. 

On the other hand, the agent encounters all manner of 
difficulties in dealing with those looking for employment 
who present themselves under various circumstances, 
many of whom imagine that by payment of the office fee 
the desired position and wages will be obtained, regard¬ 
less of their abilities or qualifications. In consequence 


— 63 


of entertaining such ideas, or believing what Unscrupu¬ 
lous agents may say, which common sense often should dis¬ 
prove, much of the disappointment and dissatisfaction 
arises. While an agent could obviate most of this, 
in many instances, it would probably be at his own 
cost, for the reason that should he tell each applicant 
candidly the truth what his chances were of obtaining 
the desired situation, the wages he could reasonably 
expect, or the position he was really adapted for, or 
give advice on other points which would tend to their 
advantage, a large proportion of his applicants would 
not only walk out without patronizing him, but would 
be highly indignant and consider themselVes insulted, 
and probably seek some other agent whom they im¬ 
agine justly appreciates their abilities and qualities by 
promising to obtain for them a position that meets or 
exceeds their expectations, bat which generally results 
in their being disappointed ; consequently, the general 
run of employment agents find it to their own interest 
to adapt their representations to the ideas of appli¬ 
cants, and trust to future developments to get rid of 
them. This often consists either of letting them wait 
until their ideas and finances become so moderated that 
they are glad to accept whatever position the agent 
offers, or become discouraged or disgusted by not ob¬ 
taining the situation they may sent after, or idling away 
their time at the office, waiting in vain for some one to 
engage them, that they finally clear out and have 
nothing further to do with it. Besides adopting such 
tactics with applicants, many send them to questionable 
employers, who may keep them a few days and then 
send them away without pay, or impose upon them in 
some other manner, with the object of having them leave 
of their own accord, without demanding remuneration 
f or the services they may have rendered ; or, perhaps, on 


— 64 — 


applying for the position they find some conditions re¬ 
quired which the agent failed to mention, and which 
they are often unable to comply with, and are thus de¬ 
barred from securing it. In addition to methods of 
this description, resorted to by some agents for the pur¬ 
pose of apparently fulfilling their contract and thus get¬ 
ting rid of the applicant. 

It is not an uncommon thing for employers to apply 
to several agencies at the same time, and also an¬ 
swer advertisements in the newspapers, so that in many 
cases an applicant’s chances of the situation are greatly 
reduced in consequence of such competition, even though 
qualified and able to comply with all requirements. Al¬ 
though much deception may be practiced all round, the 
agent is often accused of such unjustly, both by em¬ 
ployers and those seeking employment, in consequence 
of misrepresentation, either on the part of employers or 
employees, or their not acting in good faith, and of 
which the agent may have no knowledge or control. 

Notwithstanding drawbacks of this description, agents 
often have good positions at their disposal, or can pro¬ 
cure such within a reasonable time; but it should be 
borne in mind by those applying that success depends in 
a great measure upon its being the proper season for pro¬ 
curing the desired position, and that their expectations be 
within reasonable bounds ; also that their own co-opera¬ 
tion with the agent’s efforts are necessary, both in being 
within easy reach when required, and reporting at the 
office at stated intervals, otherwise they are apt to be 
lost sight of and thus miss opportunities, as time is very 
often an important matter with employers, who fre¬ 
quently desire their help sent at a certain time, or wish 
an immediate interview, and will not wait until an appli¬ 
cant living at a distance can be notified, with the uncer¬ 
tainty of his coming or being suitable. 


For this reason it is seldom that applicants who regis¬ 
ter at an office, and living at a distance from it, are suc¬ 
cessful in obtaining a position. Or those who expect an 
agent to obtain positions for them, and take his chance 
of getting his fee through their proving satisfactory to 
their employers, or being satisfied with their positions, 
or of their being on hand and accepting them if procured, 
unless one or both parties are well known to the agent. 
The general run of applicants who expect to be thus 
placed in positions are “rounders,” who seldom remain 
in a position for any length of time, or those who are 
conscious that they are misrepresenting themselves in 
some way, and therefore likely to be kept but a short 
time. It is folly for such to expect an agent to interest 
himself in their behalf, as, aside from other considera¬ 
tions, in dealing with applicants in this way there is very 
little probability of his obtaining either credit or money; 
hence applicants for positions desiring an agent’s ser¬ 
vices should be prepared to pay the office fee and con¬ 
form to the existing state of affairs as regards the position 
and wages they can command. 

Applicants willing to do this will find no one better 
qualified to give advice upon these matters than an em¬ 
ployment agent, if reliable, who through practice and 
being posted regarding affairs, can tell at a glance what 
an applicant’s chances are; also every applicant should 
distinctly understand upon what conditions the fee is 
paid, in order to avoid any future unpleasantness in 
consequence of misunderstanding upon this point. 

When the payment of a fee will ensure immediate em¬ 
ployment which might not otherwise be obtained, it is 
often an excellent investment; but the expense and un¬ 
certainty attending those who pay their money, otherwise 
is usually greater than where they take the matter into 
their own hands and strike out boldly to advertise in 


■— 66 — 


a systematic manner, especially if the position desired is 
outside of the domestic line, as the scope of employ¬ 
ment agencies is principally confined to this class of 
situations. 


Although the subject of procuring employment, and 
the manner of bettering one’s self has been mostly re¬ 
ferred to as applying to males, the same course should 
be pursued by females in whichever way employment is 
sought or advancement desired, and the same consider¬ 
ation given to all other particulars pertaining to both. 

However, females have somewhat the advantage in 
New York and vicinity, especially those seeking employ¬ 
ment in the domestic line, as the rates charged them are 
usually less than for males, and more opportunities gen¬ 
erally attend their efforts to secure employment, if prop¬ 
erly made ; but for some inexplicable reason they do not 
avail themselves of them to the extent which circum¬ 
stances very often seem to warrant. The reasons ad¬ 
vanced for this, if they can be called such, frequently 
being of the most nonsensical kind, and often result in 
more or less loss and inconvenience to these entertaining 
them. Probably the most silly, and the one most gener¬ 
ally entertained of these, is the idea that going to a situa¬ 
tion on Friday or Saturday will be attended with some¬ 
thing in the shape of bad luck or a short stay. Why 
this idea should be entertained is a mystery, as there are 
no statistics to show that those going to work upon 
either of these days are more unfortunate than upon any 
other days of the week. Another very common piece of 
nonsense is to decline a situation because the location is 
not upon such and such an avenue, or within a certain 
distance up or down town. Most of such tomfoolery is 
derived through giving ear to the gossip of “rounders,” 



67 


many of whom have grown gray without being able to 
permanently locate themselves in any locality to their 
own satisfaction, or having their qualities as they con¬ 
sider justly appreciated. This class of people are most 
frequently met with in rooms kept for the purpose of 
accomodating working-out girls when out of employ¬ 
ment ; or, it may be, that one of them is engaged in the 
same household or near by—in either case, never losing 
a chance to enlarge upon trifles, until a girl often really 
thinks she is being imposed upon, and consequently often 
leaves a good situation, and finds herself associating in 
some stuffy room with a lot of this class who, when they 
find that she has a few dollars, take an unaccountable 
interest in her behalf, and under the guise of such fill her 
head with all sorts of rubbish regarding conditions, when 
and where to accept employment, and other twaddle of 
various kinds, calculated to discourage her from accepting 
a situation, however desirable, or well satisfied she may 
be to accept it herself. This sort of thing usually con¬ 
tinues as long as she has any money wherewith to re¬ 
plenish the inseparable “growler,” to lend, or pay for ac¬ 
commodations. Besides parting with her money in this 
manner, she is often cajoled into disposing of various 
articles of apparel to accommodate them or finds it 
necessary to be enabled to leave the place. 

In addition to losses of this description, associating 
with such good-for-nothings has a demoralizing effect 
in various ways. Thus many otherwise temperate and 
desirable girls get into the habit of drinking, and become 
otherwise unreliable and cantankerous, and learn to 
practice many tricks in dealing with employers and 
others who may be interested in procuring employment 
for them, such as advertising for a situation and engag¬ 
ing with several employers the same day and then select¬ 
ing the situation that appears the most desirable, or 


-68 


disappointing all. This quite common and dishonorable 
trick, should be borne in mind by those practising it, 
works harm to others as well, perhaps more than to 
themselves, aside from the inconvenience certain to arise. 
It is often the means of preventing others from securing 
employment who perhaps are in need, or would be very 
glad to accept it; or if the engagement be made in an 
office, it often causes loss and brings discredit where it is 
not deserved, although the proprietors sometimes con¬ 
nive at such for the sake of temporary gain. 

While those by giving ear to, or practising any of the 
nonsense or methods mentioned injure themselves and 
others more or less in different ways, those who divest 
themselves of such, can at a very small expense and with 
a little effort easily secure employment with good pay, 
especially in the domestic line, in New York and vicinity. 
The wages here for such service exceed, in proportion to 
the ability and work, that of any other calling. To ob¬ 
tain the best, situation in this line, by far the most satis¬ 
factory results are obtained by advertising, if due regard 
be given to all particulars as heretofore mentioned re¬ 
specting locations, surroundings, etc., success will in¬ 
variably follow. The expense of advertising is so trifling, 
besides the situations obtainable by this means being 
usually the best of the kind, that it is hardly worth while 
responding to advertised vacancies, either personally or 
by mail, independent of the trouble and expense often 
necessary in reaching them, and other drawbacks, they 
are comparatively of an inferior order. For instance, the 
car fare, ten or fifteen cents, expended in going after an 
advertised vacancy, if judiciously expended will in nearly 
every instance bring several employers in quest of the 
advertiser, thus giving them a choice of situations. But 
in other branches of employment, such as in stores, 
shops, etc., etc., it is usually necessary to apply person- 


— 69 — 


ally, as the proprietors of such places, w en in need of 
help, usually depend upon advertising to secure it. 

For this reason it is advisable for those seeking em¬ 
ployment in these various capacities to peruse the col- 
ums of the papers through which such wants are made 
known. This, together with a timely application, will be 
likely in most cases to secure the desired employment 
more quickly than by any other means. Particular atten¬ 
tion should be given by all as to whether an advertise¬ 
ment calls for a personal or written application. Those 
desiring an application by mail so state it. When no 
mention of the manner of application is made, it can be 
taken for granted that personal calls are desired, and it 
is invariably a waste of time or postage to apply in any 
other manner than thus indicated. 

To insure an advertisement appearing under the proper 
heading, there should be written across the top of the 
paper, and a line drawn underneath, separating them 
from the advertisement, the words, “ Situation Wanted, 
Male,” or “Situation Wanted, Female,” as the case may 
be. 

Those who do not wish their names to appear in full in 
their advertisements should give them in part, their 
initials, or some appropriate word whereby they may 
be easily identified. 

Another important point in connection with inserting 
an advertisement is to hand it in in time to insure its ap¬ 
pearing properly classified in a prominent place. This 
will often add much to its value. For New York daily 
papers it is advisable to present them at the main offices 
by 8 p. m., and at the branch offices or for weekly papers 
it may be necessary to hand them in earlier. This will 
generally be found a safe rule, but it is best to inquire 
regarding the rules of each, as their regulations vary 
in this and several particulars regarding rates, etc. 


— 70 — 


The Herald and the World are best adapted, with a 
few exceptions, to advertise in for situations, in the fol¬ 
lowing and similar capacities: Agents, accountants,attend¬ 
ants, bookkeepers, assistant bookkeepers, bartenders, 
assistant bartenders, boys, butchers, bakers, butlers, 
bricklayers, blacksmiths, compositors, carpenters, col¬ 
lectors, clerks of all kinds, cashiers, coachmen, cooks, 
canvassers, carpenters, copyists, cabinet makers, cellar- 
men, confectioners, correspondents, draughtsmen, door¬ 
men, designers, engravers, engineers, elevator runners, 
firemen, florists, farm hands, floor-walkers, grooms, gar¬ 
deners, hotel situations, janitors, jewellers, kitchen men, 
knife.cutters, millwrights, millers, managers, masons, 
milkers, nurses, nurserymen, oystermen, porters, paint¬ 
ers, photographers, plumbers, printers, pressmen, quarry- 
men, ranchmen, stablemen, salesmen, stenographers, 
stewards, tinsmiths, typewriters, usefulmen in all capaci¬ 
ties, waiters, watchmen. 

Those desirous of entering business houses, learning 
professions, businesses or trades, those lately landed or 
strangers in the city, any of these mentioned can obtain 
employment quickly and reasonably through these papers. 

But for the following capacities in the domestic line, 
those who are thorougkly competent and well recom¬ 
mended may obtain superior situations through the 
Times and the Tribune , and therefore should advertise 
in them at the same time: Butlers, waiters for families, 
valets, grooms, footmen, gardeners, coachmen, farm 
managers, chefs, care-takers for residences, city and 
country, useful men. 

Germans qualified or desiring employment in any of 
the following or similar capacities with Germans should 
also advertise in and refer to the Staats Zeitung: Bar¬ 
bers, bakers, butchers, cooks, restaurant help, al] 


capacities, grocers, drivers, drug clerks, tailors, garden¬ 
ers, tradesmen of all kinds. 

Females desiring employment in business capacities 
will find the Herald and World best adapted for their 
wants, such as bookkeepers, copyists, cashiers, saleladies, 
forewomen, typewriters, stenographers, or any similar 
business capacities. Also for those of average ability 
desiring situations in the domestic line, such as house- 
workers, cooks, laundresses, chambermaids, waitresses, 
and nurses, housekeepers, seamstresses, for day’s work; 
situations in private families, institutions and hotels. 
But for those of superior ability and thoroughly recom¬ 
mended the Times and the Tribune generally give the 
best results for the following capacities: Amanuenses, 
companions, governesses, teachers, housekeepers, matrons, 
invalid nurses, children’s nurses, ladies’ maids, chamber¬ 
maids, seamstresses, waitresses, cooks, laundresses, dress¬ 
makers, etc., etc. 


BROWN & RULVERMAN, 

—-GENERAL - 

Advertising Agents 

Foi- all City Papers, 

•s/jr/jr/s/s/s/s/jr/jr/jr/*/*/*/*/ jt/j/j/m/a 

Advertisements Received at tie following : 

1,238 Broadway, corner 31st Street, until 9 p.m. 

950 Broadway, bet. 22d & 23d Streets, until 8 p.m. 
270 West 23d Street, cor. Eighth Ave., 153 Fourth 
Ave., cor. 14th Street, 760 Third Ave., cor. 47th Street, 
1,007 Third Ave., near 60th Street,, 1,708 First Ave., 
100 West 42d Street, Ninth Ave. and 68th Street, 
69 Liberty Street, and the HARLEM OFFICE, 180 
East 125th Street, until 7.30, p.m., at Regular Office 
Rates. 


JOHN SLATTERY’S 


211 


<st csg? 


527 Sixth. Avenue. 


t^Open Day and IVigrlit, 

Glean, Comfortable Beds, 50c, per Eight, 

Regular Dinner, 25 cents . 

Convenient to Cars for all parts of the City, 
Ferries, Railroads and Advertising Offices. 






















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